Atlantic Gospel Hour

While motherhood is a joy and a blessing, there are times that it can be just downright sad.  In today's lesson, we look at Psalm 88; what has been called the saddest of the psalms.  While most psalms conclude on an upbeat note with a shout of praise, Psalm 88 literally ends in darkness,"You have removed lover and friend far from me; My acquaintances are darkness." (Psalm 88:18 NASB)
But why this Psalm on Mothers' Day?  Why look at a psalm that promises such gloom?  As we look into this Psalm we find just the opposite and draw from it two important lessons.  First, darkness can last a long time; both in circumstances as well as a feeling of rejection of God.  But the second lesson gives us great hope; for it is in darkness that we find there is no better place to learn about God's love and grace.
May you be truly blessed by God's Word through this message.  Thank you for listening.

"Like father like son," is a phrase often used to show that the son, or daughter, follows the same pattern of behavior as the father, or mother.  If the child represents the father well, then it is said, "the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree."  If, however, the child does not resemble the parent, it might be said, "It was a windy day when the apple fell from the tree."  For the believer we are now identified as children of a heavenly Father.  But what does it mean to be children of God.  In our passage we explore what Peter says in his first epistle to the churches in Asia, where he exhorts the believer to live holy lives with three motivations to live lives that exemplify our Heavenly Father; Our Christian hope, God's Character and the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ.

We work hard.  We follow the "rules." We try to live out our faith to the best of our ability.  But trials still come and we are tempted to ask, "Is it even worth it?"  But in the midst of this, James tells us to "count it all joy when you fall into various trials..."  How is this possible?  What does this look like?  In this lesson, we explore what scripture has to say about trials, especially the purpose of trials and the hope that all believers in Jesus Christ have as their eternal resource to go through the trials of life.