By Doug Creamer

I Love…

            I love my church. We have a great family atmosphere at my church. People check on each other and are there for each other, just like family. We have lots of ways to connect and get involved. The worship is sweet on Sunday morning and the messages challenge us to grow and mature in our Christian walk. Our pastor has a real shepherd’s heart for the people.

            I love my Father in heaven. He cares for me and watches over me. He provides for all my needs. He has great plans for my future…things that I can’t even imagine. He thinks about me. He wants to spend time with me. God not only loves me but He likes me, too! He is a good, good Father.

            We all know that God protects us in many ways. Many times, His protection is unseen, but sometimes His protection can be seen right before our eyes. Take last Friday evening when I was out cutting the grass. It was a warm evening with little if any breeze. I was cutting along and enjoying the shade of the trees. I have a self-propelled walk behind lawn mower. I was at the end of the row getting ready to turn around and walk back. For some reason, I let go of the lawn mower and stepped back. When I did, several large limbs fell on the lawn mower and the place where I should have been standing. I exclaimed in shock at the sight of the limbs. Then I yelled out, “Thank you, Jesus, for protecting me!” My neighbor heard both the loud crash and my yelling and came running to see if I was all right. We stood there and looked at the mess for a moment. Then my neighbor and I hauled the limbs off into the woods and I returned to mowing the yard, very thankful that I wasn’t heading for the emergency room.

            I know many of you, if not all of you, have similar stories where God protected you from some type of harm. I know of numerous examples where He protected me in my car from all kinds of accidents. There have been plenty of incidences around the house where I know He or an angel stepped in to keep me safe. I don’t know how you would react, but I worshipped with a little extra gratefulness on Sunday. I am thankful that He keeps a close eye on me.

            I believe God helps us in more ways than we can imagine. I remember once my allergies had gone absolutely crazy. I normally tough it out with allergies but that time must have been really bad because I went to the doctor. I saw a random doctor at my practice that day who helped me develop a plan to deal with my seasonal allergies and helped to diagnose an allergic asthma. Between my regular doctor and this other doctor, I have been able to navigate seasonal allergies better for a number of years.

            I deeply believe that prayer makes a big difference for anything we are facing. Prayer can provide guidance, wisdom, and the peace we need to make it through whatever challenge lies before us. Since challenges contain many unknowns, seeking God’s divine help and wisdom can alter the outcome of the situations we find ourselves facing.

            I know of two individuals who recently faced long, serious surgeries. Both were bathed in prayer from family, friends, and neighbors. Both came through their surgeries with great success. God is good and I believe prayer makes a huge difference.

            I love Jesus not just because He paid for all my sins and set me free. I love Jesus because He is my friend. He knows me better than I know myself and He always wants what is best for me. He walks with me through every circumstance and guides me in my daily life. His presence gives me hope and peace. He never gives up on me.

            I want to encourage you to put your faith and hope in Jesus and our Heavenly Father. They love you more than you can believe. Jesus gave His life for you! There isn’t a higher price He could pay. They care about you and have made great plans for your future. The old hymn tells us, “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.” You can trust Him to walk with you through whatever life throws at you because He promises to never leave you or forsake you. Invite Him into your heart and let Him lead you into the good things He has planned for you.  

Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com