Victory Family Church

Today we worshiped at Victory Family Church, 21150 Route 19, Cranberry Township, PA 16066, 724.453.6200, www.lifeatvictory.com, John & Michelle Nuzzo, Senior Pastor.

Scripture – NASB

Job 1:11 –

“But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face."

Romans 8:32 –

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 –

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Bob’s thoughts:

We were able to escort our daughter on crutches to church and to reunite with a couple of our grands.

The music is always too loud for me, and the roving spotlight blinding, so I normally stay outside the worship area. The large cross within the waterfall is in the lobby, so it is my favorite place.

I couldn’t catch enough of the sermon to comment on it, but bought some coffees and sat in the lobby. I am amazed at the broad diversity of worshipers here. I’ve enjoyed noticing the posture and dress of the worshipers as they come in and I appreciate noticing the differences between dad and mom as caregivers. To me it just proves that God has a place and use for even a sinner like me, and that keeps me smiling.

Jan’s thoughts:

With our daughter in a boot and on crutches, we wanted to help her get to church today and ended up sticking around for the service. We’ve been here many times, most recently in March of this year, but I wasn’t positive this was where God wanted us until partway through the message.

The message was presented by the Band Director, Sean Moore, whom I’ve not previously heard but who seemed quite comfortable in front of this large congregation. He bravely spoke about two miscarriages he and his wife experienced, and then asked the question that caught my ear: “How do you respond when you don’t know why?”

He described some of his journey in coming to terms with these losses. He spoke of discovering a blog written by a man with a similar experience, but only bitterness was expressed.

Sean spoke of the “storm within the storm” and how Satan’s goal is to get us to question God’s character and word and give up our faith.

Then he went to Job…the book we all read when we are trying to understand. When we read God’s questions to Job toward the end of the book, we cannot help but be reminded of how much God knows and how little we know. He made a point that surprised me: he said Job did not know the devil existed. Whether or not Job knew that, God did not explain why Job was suffering as he was, and God still does not explain why. I know, I’ve asked. Often. And like Job, I will wait until I reach Heaven to see.

He passionately reminded those present that God is always faithful, that circumstances don’t tell you God’s will…we know God’s will by His word. If we don’t know then we don’t know, and if you don’t know, leave it there and don’t touch it. It could be many things, but the secret things belong to God.

His advice was to keep it simple: remember God is good, the Bible is true, and Jesus loves us. Don’t try to fill in the blanks don’t compromise; don’t dwell on what you don’t know…instead, reaffirm what you do know.

God’s love and good intentions were settled when Christ came and died for us, and we must settle it in our hearts and not accuse God out of our ignorance.

He also announced that he and his wife were expecting again, with a due date of July 4…the date of their second miscarriage. God is faithful.

By the time the message was over I knew beyond any doubt God sent us here today to hear it. Many people know we have walked a road of loss and grief, and I’ve done my fair share of searching and asking “why?” But I’ve learned that is one question God does not answer. And when we turn to God in our search to fill that hole in our hearts, God fills it with Himself, if we let Him. I’m convinced there is no other remedy, and certainly none better. He is the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

Our prayer for this church:

Lord, we pray You continue to shepherd this congregation so they all come to know Your voice. Amen.