Yesterday was Father’s day. It was a pretty good day with only one little glitch. I’ll talk about that in a minute. I was wished a happy day by all four of my kids. Jason and Michele are both home and saw to it I received good wishes. Amanda called me from her home in Arizona (the part not on fire) and my trucker son Kevin called me from Atlanta. It was cool hearing from everybody. Miss Bessie fixed me my favorite dinner. Turkey! I get a turkey dinner at lease three times a year: Thanksgiving, my birthday, and Father’s Day. Bess is trying to score points after she gave me a horrible gift. My good friend and our minister of music, Ken Birdsong, received from his wife a really nice shofar for his gift. He used it yesterday morning as our call to worship. My gift from my wife --- a badly botched haircut! That’s right; a messed up haircut. We have a set of clippers that are relatively new. When she attempted to use them, they would not cut. She eventually got out the old set, but could not find the guard. She decided to try anyway. This was where things went seriously wrong. She took more hair than a Comanche ever did. I look like Captain Picard on Star Trek. My daughter Michele said I favored Mr. Clean. She even posted a picture of me on her website. If you’d like to see it, go to www.bebe-chat.com and click on “blog.” It is hideous!!! My buddy Gene Middleton is going to love it! I’ve been wearing a baseball cap even around the house. I cannot be seen in public looking like this. I’m not a vain person, and I know my looks are more suited for radio than for television, but ridiculous is ridiculous. Go look at the picture and tell me what you think. Please please send up prayers for Miss Bessie --- she is going to need them. I will somehow be avenged. I do not know how or when, but she is definitely in the cross hairs of my sight. It will be sweet. Poor Miss Bessie. Poor Pastor Vic, shamed beyond belief.
Fathers Day at Friendship Harmony was really special. As I said, Ken Birdsong blew his new shofar to start our service, and Karen Fain and Margaret Birdsong sang a beautiful song. Their voices blended with really tight harmony. As a former traveling Southern Gospel singer, I know good harmony. I was really impressed with Karen and Margaret. It was a job well done. I preached a message titled Our Father Where Art Thou? Sometime it seems like God is nowhere to be found. When that is the case, what do you do? Below are the notes for your personal Bible study. You preachers and teachers may use them also. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Our Father, Where Art Thou?
Micah 7:7-8
By Victor Cooper
06/18/11
Intro: Have you ever felt like God was thousands of miles away from you? While theologically that is impossible, sometime that is how it seems. When that is the case, what do you do?
I. God is never unaware.
A. Nothing ever happens to a believer that hasn’t first filtered through the hands of God.
Job 1:12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
B. What God allows, God watches.
Luke 12:6-7 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? 7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
II. God is never “not there.”
A. Troubled as he was, Job knew it. Job 5:17-19 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: 18 For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole. 19 He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.
B. Paul, a man acquainted with trials, knew it. He testified, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;” 2 Corinthians 4:8
C. Jesus felt alone, but still knew God was there.
Mark 15:34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
1. Forsake> to desert
2. Jesus knew God would hear Him, or He would never have called upon Him.
III. Jesus promised His presence.
A. Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
B. The Bible teaches it elsewhere.
Deuteronomy 31:6, Josh 1:5; 1 Chronicles 28:20.
IV. What do you do when God seems so far away?
A. Know that God is there.
B. Keep praying. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
C. Keep believing. Hebrews 11:6/John 20:29b But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 29 Jesus saith …blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
Preached 6/19/11 at Friendship Harmony Baptist Church Fathers Day Service.
As you go about your week, just remember the Savior walks it with you. Just knowing that makes it easier to get through each day. Have a good week and I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!
ha ha ha!
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