Good morning on this Friday morning. Normally, I write on Monday mornings, but the last couple of weeks have been a little crazy.
Many of you have been blessed by the ministry of Robert & Joyce Hayes. Robert is our Director of Program Ministries, and he and Joyce are our Artists-in-Residence. Joyce faithfully serves, leading our women’s program events.
Robert has been having some physical issues over the past several months and attributed it to past problems he has had with kidney stones over the years.
He made an appointment with the doctor, and after testing, the diagnosis was pancreatic cancer.
Needless to say, this was not the diagnosis that we were expecting and was quite a shock to the Hayes and all who love them so deeply.
At times like these, we need to be anchored to the ROCK. We remind ourselves that God is sovereign and in control of ALL things. This did not take God by surprise – but it did all of us.
One of our former employees, Ken Brown, used to say, “We are fearfully and wonderfully made, but sometimes fearful, gets in our way.”
It’s times like these when we need to dig deeper into our walk with our Heavenly Father and allow Him to speak to us through His Word.
One of my devotional books is Daily Light on the Daily Path, which is all Scripture. No commentary – just the Word! There are readings for each day, one for the morning and one for the evening.
Here was the morning read for October 22:
My heart is steadfast, O God! The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.—He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.—He will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the LORD.
After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. PS. 108:1. PS. 27:1. ISA. 26:3. PS. 112:7, 8. PS. 56:3. PS. 27:5, 6. 1 PET. 5:10, 11.
Daily Light on the Daily Path (From the Holy Bible, English Standard Version) (p. 296). Crossway. Kindle Edition.
These verses were so timely and such a blessing to me on a day when I was overwhelmed for my friend, Robert.
You can follow them on their journey. On Facebook, join the PRAY FOR ROBERT HAYES group. Or you can follow them on CaringBridge. Robert’s page is “Robertslifesong.”
If you would like to help them financially, you can send them a gift at:
Concerts of Worship & Praise
601 Route 530
Whiting, NJ 08759
CaringBridge will request a gift from you, but that does not go to the Hayes. Please do not make your check out to America’s Keswick.
Thanks for praying for Robert and Joyce Hayes.
Have a great weekend.
In His grip,
Bill Welte, President/CEO
America’s Keswick
Written by Bill Welte, President/CEO of America’s Keswick: Bill has been married to his childhood sweetheart for 40+ years and has four married kids and 12 amazing grandkids. He loves music and is an avid reader.
