International Prayer Day First Monday each month 10 am

Joel Griffith 10/22/25 Joel Griffith 10/22/25

Lord, how Majestic!

“LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens. Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.” Psalm 8:1-2

The above verses were in one of my morning devotions recently and when matched with the attached photo, the words “Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name” really jumped out at me. I took the photo of the school at Font Baptiste which is high in the mountains of the Arcahaie District. The door to this ‘classroom’ was open probably to coax a cool breeze to lower the temperature inside this small ‘shed’ of a room, instead of the dog and chicken that wandered inside. What is taking place in this room is reason enough to say “Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name.”

Our awesome Triune God is using your gift to feed these 580 students who are daily being fed His Word and a plate of rice and beans and they will go out into their neighborhood and do His work of driving the vodou priest and his lies from their homes. Our God who gave His only Son for each of us so that we might have our sins forgiven and receive Eternal Life is using each of us to serve Him in this simple way, in the simple place to wage a war against satan. Beni soit L’Eternal!!! (Praise the Lord!!!)

“Oh Lord, Our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth. Oh Lord, Our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth. The heavens declare Your greatness; the oceans cry out to You. The mountains, they bow down before You so I'll join with the earth and I'll give my praise to You. And I will worship You.”

Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus

Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.

May God be with you,

Jay

Joel Griffith 10/21/25 Joel Griffith 10/21/25

Walk humbly...just as you are.

“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19-24

I can’t remember the movie, but the hero asked his partner several times, “Are you with me or against me?” This is a question that all believers might hear daily. With me…or against me? There are two lingering questions that Haitian school kids in Trinity HOPE schools and you and I have to answer daily: “Is the foundation beneath your life absolutely solid? If it is on Christ, the Rock; it is. If not, it isn’t.” What is your answer?

The Haitian school kids’ lives are experiencing very challenging times and that won’t be changing much in the foreseeable future. What about you? Is the life you are building eternally reliable? Stormy seasons are sure to come, bringing a downpour of difficulties that will test the materials you are using. If your life is solidly and squarely resting on Christ, you will ride out the storm, not fearing the flood. If not, the sand will ultimately give way, your life will collapse, and you will sink.

God’s message to His children all over this fallen world is His love. He does not stand aloof from us, pointing and shouting words of condemnation. No, He brings love and hope. He reaches back to us with open arms, offering His strength in place of our weakness. He desires to help us in our struggles, to rescue us from sinking, and to bring us to safety.

If you are only hearing and reading truth, you are not prepared for life’s season of storms; they’re coming. In this information era it is easy for us to become fascinated by more and more words, AI, interested in intriguing concepts and making the process of gathering data an end in itself rather than acting upon the truth that is presented. His Divine truth is given not to satisfy idle curiosity, but to change lives; not to lull us to sleep in church, but to equip us for today and ready us for eternity.

If your foundation is sure, no storm will cause your life to collapse. The rains of adversity will fall, no question about it; that’s life. The floods of misery and heartache will rise; no one can escape such harsh realities. And the winds of pressure will howl, threatening both your security and your sanity. But the Good News is this: Your life will not collapse. Christ came to be believed in, not simply studied and admired, but to save us from the season of storms and use our lives to bring others into the lifeboat called Hope. A couple of weeks ago we sang the hymn ‘My hope is built on nothing less’ that was written by Edward Mote in 1834. I’ve added it to my ever-growing funeral hymn list.

“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand. When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace; in ev’ry high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil. On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand. His oath, His covenant, His blood support me in the whelming flood; when all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay. On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand. When He shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in Him be found, dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne. On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.”

May God be with you,

Jay

Joel Griffith 10/20/25 Joel Griffith 10/20/25

HE takes us; just as we are.

“I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them.” Hosea 11:4

Who knew; how many of us really knew or had a clue of what our life journey would be like? Did you imagine you would be here today? When I was a nineteen year-old man, working in highway construction, there were times when paths that I selected ultimately separated me from God; for a moment. He continued to pursue me while I was seemingly happily sloshing in the mud on these tangled trails that satan provided for me to those areas that were a ‘sure thing’ when seeking adventure in a sinful world.

Who knew? He did not give up on me and He did not give up on you or the children in Haiti. He did not write me off as a lost sheep that was unable to stay in the fold. He did not despise, reject or abandon me. It is humbling to consider how our Heavenly Father followed each of us through the dark paths upon which we have walked, worked and wasted away. He was there by our side through some of life’s terrible challenges.

Only our Savior Jesus Christ could possibly care enough for you, me and the children in Haiti to bring us to Himself; just as we are. Just as our Good Shepherd brought us back into His fold, He feeds each of us. Who knew that our Heavenly Father would have brought you here today, to help in the process of feeding His sheep in Haiti? Who knew? Lord Jesus, take me just as I am, because I need you; now. A few weeks ago, I was meditating on the words from the hymn ‘Just as I am’ by Charlotte Elliot written in 1835 and my thoughts started to fall into a proper place, during this moment in time along my journey. Hope that you will find peace reading these words. And, if you get a chance, listen to Carrie Underwood sing this song and then have a talk with Jesus.

“Just as I am without one plea, but that Thy blood was shed for me. And that Thou bidst me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come! Just as I am and waiting not. To rid my soul of one dark blot. To Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come! Just as I am though toss'd about. With many a conflict, many a doubt. Fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come! Just as I am poor, wretched, blind; sight, riches, healing of the mind. Yea, all I need, in Thee to find, O Lamb of God, I come! Just as I am Thou wilt receive, wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve. Because Thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come! Just as I am Thy love unknown. Has broken every barrier down. Now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come! Just as I am of that free love. The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove. Here for a season, then above, O Lamb of God, I come!”

May God be with you,

Jay

Joel Griffith 10/18/25 Joel Griffith 10/18/25

My HOPE is Built on Nothing Less

“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the wind blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.” Matthew 7:24-29

While watching the weather channel for an update on the hurricanes in the Atlantic, my mind drifts back to a time when our underwater bridge inspection team from Nebraska was taking a Safety Diver class at the Community College in Key West, FL. There was a category 2 storm that passed by during the second and final week of the classes and none of us had ever seen a “cat 2 storm” so when our class was ended for the day we jumped into our minivan and drove to the east side of the island to get a close-up view of storm surge. The road soon became blocked with boats, trees and water and we turned around and drove back to our hotel and sat through the night in darkness. The saying “the wind blew, the rain flew and there sat the State crew’ came full circle on that night. It is amazing to see and feel the awesome raw strength that our mighty God possesses. And even more awesome to know is that we can call upon Him in prayer and He listens to us…and answers us. No matter what storms, illness, addictions, collapses or hardships threaten to destroy us He is always there with us protecting, loving and caring for His children. Where is your hope found? I am closing today with the words from the hymn My Hope is Built on Nothing Less that were written by Edward Mote in 1834.

“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace; in every high and stormy gale my anchor holds within the veil. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.

His oath, His covenant, and blood support me in the whelming flood; when every earthly prop gives way, He then is all my Hope and Stay. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.

When He shall come with trumpet sound, oh, may I then in Him be found, clothed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne! On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.”

Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen

Joel Griffith 10/17/25 Joel Griffith 10/17/25

Brothers and Sisters in Christ have HOPE

“Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.

“Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off; for all whom the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:38-39

Back in the day of my childhood when the snowflakes began to fall and pile up in the evening with the wind howling there was one thing known and one thing unknown to me. In the morning, I would be helping my mom scoop the drive. Hopefully there would be enough snow so there would be no school, and I could earn a few dollars scooping drives and sidewalks for the neighbors. I took this photo near Tibourn, Haiti before the winds and rains. The children in this school will not be there tomorrow because if the wind didn’t destroy this structure the storm surge did; no school for them. These young souls and their parents will prayerfully wake up tomorrow and wonder how long it will be before their school will resume. In 2016 Hurricane Matthew brought destruction to the Christians and to the vodou followers. The difference is our brothers and sisters in Christ have HOPE and vodou followers only have despair and hopelessness. Please pray for Christians in Haiti when these destructive hurricanes hit. As they rebuild homes, churches, and schools, may their HOPE filled witness bring lost souls to ask about the reason for their HOPE. Jesus…it’s all about Jesus. I am closing today with the words from the hymn I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus that were written by Frances R. Havergal in 1874.

“I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus, trusting only Thee, trusting Thee for full salvation, great and free. I am trusting Thee for pardon; at Thy feet I bow, for Thy grace and tender mercy trusting now.

I am trusting Thee for cleansing in the crimson flood, trusting Thee to make me holy by Thy blood. I am trusting Thee to guide me; Thou alone shalt lead, ev'ry day and hour supplying all my need.

I am trusting Thee for power; Thine can never fail. Words which Thou Thyself shalt give me must prevail.

I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus; never let me fall. I am trusting Thee forever and for all.”

Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen

(written the day after Hurricane Matthew hit Haiti in 2016)

Joel Griffith 10/16/25 Joel Griffith 10/16/25

Praying Through Storms

“Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth.

“Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” Psalm 46:8-11

While living in Haiti I experienced two tropical storms but never a hurricane. While living there it was surprising that there were not many warnings about imminent storms as “back in the day” we didn’t have smart phones and the technology we have today. At this time of year, I watch the weather forecast for hurricanes that form bright red splotches on the radar over Haiti. In 2016 I knew that friends in Port-au-Prince living on the mountainside were in peril and those in Gonaives on the base of the mountain were surely going to be hit very hard. I heard a man on the weather channel say that the people in Haiti were going to have to ‘hunker’ down for the day as intense rain and wind would be blowing through. That made me think about this child named Suzette and her family and their home which is not a safe place to hunker down in during a hurricane. This little stick home west of Les Cayes is not alone as there are thousands like this where God’s children will spend the day listening to the storm and praying. It rains on both the saved and the unsaved. We pray that God’s will is accomplished in our brothers and sisters in Haiti through these storms, bringing many of those who are lost and still follow vodou to ask why this family who follow the Risen Savior, Jesus Christ, have hope in tomorrow. I am closing today with the words from the hymn Be Still, My Soul that were written by Catharina von Schlegel in 1975.

“Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side; bear patiently the cross of grief or pain; leave to thy God to order and provide; in every change He faithful will remain. Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake to guide the future as He has the past. Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake; all now mysterious shall be bright at last. Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart and all is darkened in the vale of tears; then shalt thou better know His love, His heart, Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears. Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay from His own fulness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on when we shall be forever with the Lord, when disappointment, grief, and fear are gone, sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored. Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past, all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.”

Joel Griffith 10/15/25 Joel Griffith 10/15/25

God's Plan

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith; and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God;

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith; and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:8-10

I see three plates of rice and beans in the attached photo. Metal spoons, no napkins or glasses of water; a Trinity HOPE donor gave a dollar so these three Haitian children could have lunch which might very well be their meal for this day. Think about this; our Triune God has specific plans already in place for each of these children and you and I don’t have a clue as to what His plans might be. We don’t know their names, or who their parents are or what kind of house they live in but we only know they attend a Christian school in Haiti. Do we need to know anything else about these young lives? What about you, what has our Heavenly Father prepared for you to do? Twenty years ago, I didn’t realize that I would be here today sharing with you a photo of Haitian children eating rice and beans and asking you to pray for these three and also consider being a Trinity HOPE donor. When the final bell tolls and your journey ends will your family, friends and co-workers read about the work that God prepared for you and how you followed His calling? I am closing today with the words from the song, Find us Faithful, that were written by Steve Green.

“We're pilgrims on the journey of the narrow road and those who've gone before us line the way. Cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary their lives a stirring testament to God's sustaining grace; surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses let us run the race not only for the prize but as those who've gone before us, let us leave to those behind us the heritage of faithfulness passed on through godly lives.

Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful. May the fire of our devotion light their way. May the footprints that we leave lead them to believe and the lives we live inspire them to obey. Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful after all our hopes and dreams have come and gone; and our children sift through all we've left behind. May the clues that they discover and the memories they uncover become the light that leads them to the road we each must find. Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful.”

Joel Griffith 10/14/25 Joel Griffith 10/14/25

If I Were Hungry

” If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.

” If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it. Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats? “Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” Psalm 50:12-15

The above verses bring a smile to my soul, especially verse 12; “if I were hungry, I would not tell you…” and pair those words with the attached photo. When was the last time that your family was hungry and there was nothing in the house to eat so you gathered them up and headed over to Madame Linda’s bakery to purchase some dirt cakes? If I was a child and knew that is where my mom was heading to purchase some cakes to fill my burning stomach pains, I would probably just remain quiet and suffer through the aches in my gut. And where are the choices that we “must” have? Dirt cakes, clay cakes or sifted sand cakes? Having your child in a Christian school in Haiti with a Trinity HOPE feeding program is a dual blessing. Your child is learning and growing spiritually stronger in Christ and receives a hot nutritious meal that builds their body physically. We give thanks for the opportunity to bless others. I am closing today with the words from the hymn, How Can I Thank Thee, Lord, that were written by David Denicke in 1648.

“How can I thank Thee, Lord, for all Thy loving kindness that Thou hast patiently borne with me in my blindness? When dead in many sins and trespasses I lay, I kindled, holy God, Thine anger every day.

It is Thy work alone that I am now converted; o'er Satan's work in me Thou hast Thy power asserted. Thy mercy and Thy grace that rise afresh each morn have turned my stony heart into a heart new-born.

I could but grieve Thee, Lord, and with my sins displease Thee; yet to atone for sin my works could not appease Thee. Though I could fall from grace and choose the way of sin, I had no strength to rise, a new life to begin.

But Thou hast raised me up to joy and exultation and clearly shown the way that leads me to salvation. My sins are washed away, for this I thank thee, Lord; and with my heart and soul all dead works are abhorred.

Grant that Thy Spirit's help to me be always given lest I should fall again and lose the way to heaven; that He may give me strength in mine infirmity and e'er renew my heart to serve Thee willingly.

Oh, guide and lead me, Lord, while here below I wander that I may follow Thee till I shall see Thee yonder. For if I led myself, I soon would go astray; but if Thou leadest me, I keep the narrow way.

O Father, God of Love, hear Thou my supplication; O Savior, Son of God, grant me Thy full salvation; and Thou, O Holy Ghost, be Thou my faithful Guide that I may serve Thee here and there with Thee abide.”
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen

Joel Griffith 10/13/25 Joel Griffith 10/13/25

Challenges

“His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose

“His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.” Ephesians 3:10-13

It is truly amazing to look at the smiles and faces of these students from Mixte Nazareth, Haiti and hold their images as you reread the above verses again. Do you suppose they are discouraged or down because of any number of challenges that they are now enduring? I am aware that some of you are facing challenges of many different kinds today with an ugly wall that seems higher today than yesterday. Jesus is with you, wherever you are, no matter what your load, challenge, hurt or burden; He is nearer than you can imagine. These children go to a school with a dirt floor, metal roof and walls without windows and the late morning temperatures reach over 90. They are smiling because they know that Jesus is with them and their school provides a lunch for them daily; Jesus is beside each of them throughout each day. Stay focused on the One sure and true thing in our lives; our Savior is with us every moment. I am closing today with the words from the hymn My Faith Looks up to Thee that were written by Ray Palmer in 1830.

“My faith looks up to Thee, Thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine. Now hear me while I pray; take all my guilt away; oh, let me from this day be wholly Thine!

May Thy rich grace impart strength to my fainting heart, my zeal inspire; As Thou hast died for me, oh, may my love to Thee pure, warm, and changeless be, a living fire!

While life's dark maze I tread and griefs around me spread, be Thou, my Guide. Bid darkness turn to day, wipe sorrow's tears away, nor let me ever stray from Thee aside.

When ends life's transient dream, when death's cold, sullen stream shall o'er me roll, Blest Savior, then, in love, fear and distrust remove; oh, bear me safe above, a ransomed soul!”

Joel Griffith 10/11/25 Joel Griffith 10/11/25

A God Way to Stop Complaining

“Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me;

“Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:23-24

While working out at Advanced Rehab and Sports Medicine in Bloomington there was a new poster on the wall that asked the question, “Are you looking for a good way to say, ‘Stop complaining?” I’m sure it was directed at where to send your family or friends who are suffering with a bad back, sore joints or muscles. Go see Chris! But the message struck me differently. Our culture has its share of complaints; nothing to watch on television, politics, what to eat, what to wear and what color should I dye my hair. I was looking at this photo of children eating their lunch at the Lutheran school in Bas de Sceaut and was considering what might be some of their complaints. What? Rice and beans again! Why does our school have a dirt floor? Why do white people always take a photo of me eating? I don’t want to go to school today, it’s too windy! For many of these children this is their meal for the day. The cost to feed this class of students is $4.50; thank you Our Redeemer Lutheran in Bloomington, IL. Trinity HOPE is looking for donors who are interested in feeding children in Haiti who are becoming missionaries for our Lord Jesus and are training to work with Him in the mission fields of Haiti. If you are interested, please check out our website at trinityhope.org and learn how you can help out. I am closing today with the words from the hymn Come, follow Me, the Savior Spake that was written by Johann Scheffler in 1668.

“Come, follow me, the Savior spake, all in My way abiding; deny yourselves, the world forsake, obey My call and guiding. Oh, bear the cross, whate'er betide, take my example for your guide.

I am the Light, I light the way, a godly life displaying; I bid you walk as in the day, I keep your feet from straying. I am the Way, and well I show how you must sojourn here below. My heart abounds in lowliness, my soul with love is glowing, and gracious words my lips express, with meekness overflowing. My heart, My mind, My strength, My all, to God I yield, on Him I call.

I teach you how to shun and flee what harms your soul's salvation, your heart from every guile to free, from sin and its temptation. I am the Refuge of the soul and lead you to your heavenly goal.

Then let us follow Christ, our Lord, and take the cross appointed and, firmly clinging to His Word, in suffering be undaunted. For who bears not the battle's strain the crown of life shall not obtain.”