First Baptist Church of Midway

Acts 28:8-9 - And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and tprayed, and the laid his hands on him and healed him. So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed.

The concept that hit me was that Paul suffered greatly from a thorn in his flesh. Scholars have speculated, but we really do not know what this thorn was. We also know that Paul asked God to remove that thorn from him three times (II Corinthians 12:7-9). How frustrating must it have been for Paul to undergo physical pain, ask God for healing and then not receive it? Would that frustration have not been exacerbated when Paul was then used by God to heal others? I recognized that Paul was constantly ministering to others THROUGH his own pain, suffering and problems. He did not wait for his pain, suffering, problems to go away first. And neither should I.

The second simple way a Christian can navigate through suffering is to focus on ministering to others - through the suffering, not after it is completed.

If I was a healthy man who did not have to worry about insurance premiums and deductibles, then there is so much I could be doing for the kingdom. But my illness and my pain and my suffering do not IN ANY WAY preclude me from getting involved in kingdom work. The focus simply becomes: how can I minister in my current condition?

I have realized that even though I have big dreams about what a healthy Zac would do, there is much for sick Zac to do. When you find yourself suffering try to divert the attention away from you as soon as possible. Stop the whining and the complaining and try to figure out what ministry Jesus has for you right now. How can you use your suffering to give God glory and increase His kingdom?

To read Zac's entire post click here.

Men's Small Group - The men are going through the book The Resolution for Men by Stephen Kendrick. If you have any questions please contact Pastor Robinson at (724) 255-1695. Our next meeting will be TBD and will cover chapters 10 and 11.

August 21 - Trustee Meeting at 6 PM

August 26 - Lord's Supper & Deacon's Fund Offering following AM Worship Service

September 2 - Carry-in Dinner following the AM Worship service

We have been approached by an individual who wants to help our church to be proactive in being prepared for the future. Recently there was a chance to purchase the house behind the church, but we were not in any position to purchase it. They have since taken it off the market, but will most likely be putting it back on the market in a year or so. This anonymous person has offered to match up to $5000 each month (from May through December) that would be given to the parsonage fund over and above your regular offerings. This is a great opportunity to get prepared to purchase some needed property for parking since our church is landlocked. Please consider donating some money towards this fund so we can be better prepared for this possible opportunity. We have raised $7,085! Praise the Lord!!