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“But as for me, I will sing of Your strength; Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your faithfulness in the morning, for You have been my refuge and a place of refuge on the day of my distress” (Ps. 59:16, NASB).

This verse outlines the many problems, mountainous difficulties, troubling times and numerous enemies that were surrounding David on every side. David opened up his heart to the Lord, and his urgent prayer for help and deliverance poured forth unabated. This surrender of heart has also worked in my life.

“How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matt. 7:4–5, NIV).

Most of us have experienced a time when we’ve completely underestimated someone’s point of view, whether in an argument or in a situation where one lacks confidence to support themselves. I have been on both ends of the spectrum in my education and everyday life, making Matthew 7:4–5 my favorite verse.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and hope” (Jer. 29:11, ESV).

I like this Bible verse because it says God knows what will happen throughout your life, through all your troubles, hardships and times of despair. I think of these as wars between God and Satan, between your guardian angel and Satan’s demons.

But just as God knows the outcome of the whole universe, you choose the outcome of your battles; whether or not you’ll let something ruin your day or try to see the good that can come out of a bad situation. We’ve all had our times of trial. For some it may not have been as bad as others, but it’s up to you whether you choose to let the demons win or let God take command.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 15:13, NIV).

This verse is important to me because there was a moment in my life when I felt I was losing everything; that there was no hope. But God showed me there was hope and that I would be fine.

In 2020, my mom got into a terrible car accident. I was sick at home with bronchitis when my mom’s friend called my older brother and told him that she had been in an accident. We talked with the paramedics, and they explained that it was very bad. We rushed to the hospital, and I was very upset because they wouldn’t tell us anything.

image from iStock

“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well” (Ps. 139:14, KJV).

Is there something about yourself you don’t like? Maybe you have freckles, a loud laugh, curly hair or a quiet personality. I would venture to guess that we all have insecurities. We see characteristics in others we wish we could have and features we wish we could look like. The question is, why aren’t we confident in who we are?

Junnie Ree Pagusan (right), pastor of the Far West End church, along with 10 other members, take a break in the middle of cleaning the surrounding church area.

Story by Debra Anderson

Earlier this year, members of the Far West End church in Rockville, Va., went “beyond the walls” in ministry to help beautify their community. The group responded to a request from a local community member who needed help keeping the area around the church and beyond remain in pristine condition.

image from iStock

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Heb. 13:5, NIV).

This verse became real to me during my junior year in college. I had just come home from my student nursing clinical on April 6, 1993, when I received a call from my mother. I could hardly believe the news she told me. Daddy fell in the bathroom over the weekend; she had called 911; he was in the ICU; and later died there. As I listened, I felt as though the walls of my world came crashing down on me.

Los miembros del Comité Ejecutivo de la Unión de Columbia votaron recientemente para regresar y / o promover a los nombrados en los departamentos de Comunicación, Educación, Tecnología de la Información y Tesorería.

Kelly Butler Coe fue ascendida de directora asociada a directora de Servicios de Comunicación. Coe, quien obtuvo una licenciatura en ciencias con especialización en diseño gráfico, fotografía y tecnología, se ha desempeñado en la Unión de Columbia desde el 2000, principalmente como gerente de identidad de marca, directora de arte y diseñadora gráfica.

Celeste Ryan Blyden, vicepresidenta de Comunicación Estratégica de la unión, continúa supervisando el departamento y se desempeña como editora de la revista Visitor.

Reelecciones

Le dimanche 26 septembre, les membres du Comité Exécutif de la Fédération Allegheny East ont nommé Pete Palmer comme président, et Marcellus Robinson comme vice-président pour l'administration.

Dave Weigley, président de l'Union de Columbia, a présidé la réunion et déclare que le comité a pris cette décision après un processus mené avec soin et dans la prière. Il a fait une mention spéciale du leadership spirituel dévoué et expérimenté de Palmer et de Robinson, et a ajouté : « J'appelle les membres de l'Allegheny East à être comme Aron et Hur, et à soutenir les mains de nos dirigeants, afin que nous puissions continuer à guérir et nous concentrer sur la Grande Commission. »

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 15:13, NKJV).

When I got the news that I was moving to Ohio, I was so mad at God. It was so unfair that I had to move again. I felt like I was just getting used to living in Tennessee, but now I had to pack everything up. It was so hard for me to let go of all the friends I had met.

Moving to Ohio was hard at first, but then things got easier. I started to realize that God sent me here for a purpose. If I had only trusted Him from the start, then things would’ve been a lot easier.