Join our Volunteer, Veteran & Former First Responder SGT Steve McFarland TONIGHT for "Healing Through Faith" edition of Warriors for Life (WFL) Online Peer Group Support sponsored and presented by Victory for Veterans, Inc.
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TONIGHT's Topic: "The 'Winter' of Life!"
The 'Winter' of Life
Have you felt the chill of that icy wind pierce your soul? Have you been through times when you thought that nothing else could possible go wrong, but it did? Have you wondered if you would ever see the last of it, but you hadn't, that there was more that could and did go wrong than you could have ever imagined? Have you ever wondered if even God has abandoned you? Were there more questions than answers, and did most of those questions start with "WHY"? Those are the questions of someone going through one or more of life's winters.
I have been there, done that and got the T-shirt...many times, but this isn't about me. Someone else both comforted those in the winter of life, and experienced it first-hand Himself. Our Lord Jesus Christ met several people in the winter of life several times, and then experienced it Himself on the cross.
So, what IS a "winter-event"? Five things come immediately to mind; death, divorce, disease, disability and disaster. This list isn't all-inclusive, but you get the general-idea. Trauma, in all its forms, also belongs on this list. A "winter-event" is anything that seriously-disturbs what should be the "norm", something that turns your world upside-down.
In Matthew 9:18-34, Jesus met five people who badly-needed for Spring to come. One was dead, one was sick, two were blind, and one was mute and demon-possessed. Spring returned in a big-way as the dead girl was raised back to life, the sick woman was healed, two blind men received their sight, and the demon-possessed man was freed and his speech was restored.
Jesus had met others in their Winter, and had proclaimed that Spring has come, but He still had to face His own Winter. Jesus had always had perfect fellowship with His Father (John 1:1-5). Jesus took on our flesh and blood (John 1:14), so that He could experience our winter with us. When Jesus was crucified, He experienced His own winter (Matthew 27:45). The perfect, sinless, Son of God, who had not experienced separation from his Father for even a picosecond, was abandoned, forsaken. God turned His back on His own Son... Our Winter became His Winter... He experienced Winter first-hand...
Are you experiencing those icy winds of winter? If so, I invite you to come to the One who has experienced our winter, and has proclaimed that Spring is here. Do those memories of winters-past still haunt you? I invite you to lay them at the foot of the cross, and receive the healing which only He can give. We have a great High Priest; "Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted." "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 2:17-18, 4:14-16), Who has experienced our winter, and stands ready to heal us, and proclaim that Spring IS here.
We often think that our problems are too tough, and our Winter is too bleak, but He who conquered sin and death also said; "ALL authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching the to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to even the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20)
These "Winter" events in our lives remind us that we lost far more than our innocence in the Fall. Life itself became tenuous and fragile. We aren't in Eden any more.
As a fellow-sojourner, who has experienced more than my "fair-share" of the winters in life, I am here to proclaim the Good News that spring IS here. As we look back on our Lord's passion week and His resurrection, there is no better time to bring your Winter to find the Spring which only He can bring. The clinic is open, the Doctor is in, walk-ins are always welcome, and there is no waiting. The price is already paid. Come as you are... Will you come to Him for healing? I pray that you do, because you will be glad you did.
Sola Deo Gloria!
Victory for Veterans, Inc presents Warriors for Life (WFL) "Healing Through Faith" – Sunday (TONIGHT), 4 December 2022 at 4:30 PM PT, 5:30 PM MT, 6:30 PM CT, and 7:30 PM ET
Dial in 5-10 minutes early to test your communications!
Volunteer, Veteran, & Former First Responder SGT Steve McFarland will be the Host TONIGHT and is inviting you to a RingCentral meeting.
Join from PC, Mac, iOS or Android: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/4623907474
Or iPhone one-tap (US Toll):
+1(773) 231 9226,,4623907474#
Or Telephone: Dial:
+1 (773) 231 9226 (US Toll)
Meeting ID: 462 390 7474
Thank you,
SGT Steve McFarland
Volunteer, Veteran & First Responder
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