The Public Health Christian Fellowship at JHSPH

Good morning, PHCF! In the midst of midterm or perhaps other work/family stress (ah life!), I love the exhortation Paul writes to the church in Thessalonica: give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thess 5:18). Can you see Jesus as more than enough when you feel overwhelmed? Can you see him as all-sufficient when you feel like you have everything "under control"? Dear ones, Ps 95:6-7 says: Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. This week, remember to look to God and give thanks - for his provision and presence, and for the very precious gift of his Son who came to seek and save the lost. (A good song to meditate on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcORoyyjqjw ) Please note: we do not have our regular lunch meeting this week! You are welcome to use W2033 tomorrow at lunch as a prayer room, though. *Woul

Dear PHCF, It's hard to believe that it is almost time for midterms again! Paul writes: For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (2 Cor 4:17-18) Friends, praying for you today to keep turning your eyes towards Jesus, looking full in his wonderful face, so that the things of earth grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace. Tomorrow, please join us for a special speaker for our Wednesday lunch gathering, 12:15pm in Room W2033. Come learn how you can be involved in helping unreached people groups receive the Bible! (Dessert provided.) Stephen Beale and his wife Eileen were missionaries with Wycliffe Bible Translators for more than 20 years. They served in Thailand and Vanuatu. In Vanuatu they were the translation advisors for the Mota Lava New

Dear PHCF, The Lord says to his chosen ones: do not fear. For I will give you abundant water to quench your thirst and to moisten your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit and my blessings on your children. They will thrive... (Isaiah 44:3-4) Friends, I love that God is the initiator here: he pours out grace to lift us from the mire, provides for our needs, gives us the Wonderful Counselor - but what is the end goal? In verse 5, Isaiah relates three variations of the same result: that God's chosen ones proudly claim, "I belong to the Lord." Will you trust in the Lord today, with all your fears and stresses - whether for our nation which struggles so much with opium addiction, gun violence, and even listening with empathy and compassion; or for your schoolwork, research, and projects; for any aspect of your life? Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb 4:16) Tomorrow, we m