There are many things we face in life, some of which we do not understand until much later, if ever. We recently faced a disaster never experienced by this generation. Many of our people in the South District not only sustained damage to their homes, had no power or water, for weeks, but their local Churches received substantial damage. As we write this, there are those who are still without power and some without power and water.

But the Word of God is true, “when one member suffers, we all suffer” and we all feel the pain, turmoil, and perplexity of what has happened. We who were not in the storm are moved with compassion and feel the great necessity of rendering aid to those parts of the Body suffering. We were able to use a fundraiser intended for the Tabernacle for relief for the Churches damaged by the storm. Is not our God an on-time God? Brother and Sister Grimes were able to make it through the destruction to do whatever they could to ease the suffering. And suffering is the correct word. We see the Body working as God intends, and as it must please Him. The great Roll Call was made, and there was much worrying when we didn’t hear “present” from some of you. Oh, how we rejoiced when confirmation came that “we are ok” was spread to us, so that we could thank God, take comfort and rejoice.

“But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly. Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.” Philippians 2:25-28

Those are the words of the Apostle Paul. Not only did God have mercy on you all, but on us as well. Lest we should say as Paul and have “sorrow upon sorrow.”

The Church of God is alive and well. As Brother Grimes would say, God is not surprised by any of this. We love you, The Church of God! We are praying for you. Our prayers are mighty through our God! They pull down strong holds, cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and brings every thought into the captivity to the obedience of Christ. Peter, who was soundly sleeping because of the peace of God that passes all understanding, had to receive a hit on his side from the angel sent by God to rescue him from prison. That is because prayer was made without ceasing by the Church. Prayers are what we do! We are His House of Prayer. When we are physically restricted from working to help, prayers move other people to help where we cannot. Prayers are the agonizing force behind the Great Commission we have been given, the Holy Ghost being our great power for service.

The Holy Ghost has been our great Comforter through all of this. Glory to God! The Church of God is alive and well! God is in full control. We see more than ever, time is short. Let us be obedient! We must be praying to the Lord of the Harvest to send laborers into His Harvest, and Lord we pray, give them souls for their hire! The weapons form, but the do not prosper. The enemy comes in like a flood, but the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him. Like a Mighty Army Moves The Church of God! Be strong and of a good courage! Our God shall fight for you! “Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” Exodus 15:11