To God's Beloved At Cloverdale Baptist Church:
There are many things that threaten to distract us from the main things! This is not a new things, in fact for years the statement, "if the devil can't make you bad, he will make you busy" has been a part of our conversations. I am not sure of the value of that statement, however I am sure that Hebrews 12:1-2 is true.
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Simply put we are to be those who not only get rid of sin (which we long to do as God's people), but also those who lay aside every weight. The weight that we are to lay aside is not only bad things, but also good that distract us from the BEST. So what is the BEST? The answer, a first love relationship with Jesus that keeps us in faith looking to Him and living our lives as an overflow of that first love relationship. Our goal as a church is to learn to grow to be so much like Jesus (Christ formed in us, Galatians 4:19) that we avoid those things that would distract us from our relationship with Him. It is worthwhile to look at your own life, and the passions and cares that that you have, and take the time to align them with Jesus! We are in a race, and are far to often tripping over sin, or being weighed down by the good, not great, so today take the time to make sure your TREASURES, TALENTS & TIME are invested in the passion that comes from an overflow of your FIRST LOVE RELATIONSHIP.
As a church we have traditionally been a part of Operation Christmas Child, and once again we are seeking to love children in need around the world in the name of Jesus. Join us this year, and put together a few boxes for those in need, and pray that those who receive them would know the true joy of Christmas. Thank you to those who help us do this ministry, and we encourage you to engage!
Baptism: This Sunday we are having a baptism. If you are not yet baptized as a believer give one of our pastors or elders a call and we will make it a priority to seek to help you obey Jesus with joy in this step of love. On Sunday, we will rejoice at SO GREAT A SALVATION, and the love of God for one of His children, and our own delight in His call to live our lives on mission for Him.
Missions Highlight: Please pray for Dan and Jessica Fenske in Poland. Pray that their Visa application would be successful and that God would use them to be a lighthouse where He has called them. As you pray for them, be reminded that we are on mission here in our own communities as well, and seek this week to have GOSPEL CONVERSATIONS with those around you who God has brought into your life for you to share of His great Gospel. We long to have each person in our congregation that loves Jesus to be sharing with at least one other person the greatness of the Gospel.
Sunday Is Coming:
Title: Canada We Have A Problem:
Text: Romans 1:18-2:29
Read through Romans this week and continue to seek to get a feel for this great book by allowing it to saturate your mind and heart. The better we know the book as a whole the more we will be impacted by its parts.
The specific text we are studying is so relevant to today's society...
- Why do you think that God addresses sexual sin in so clear a manner?
- Why do you think it is so hard for us as humans to hear?
- What does it mean to have a depraved mind?
- As we see our world continue on this pathway of, "being given over", what is our response to be as a church?
- They say that a significant number of people have been impacted in painful ways as a consequence of sexual sin. How can we effectively minister to those around us who are struggling in the sin, or impacted by this sin?
- What does it mean to acknowledge God in all of life?
- How can we avoid religious judgementalism, while still taking a strong stand on what God's Word teaches?
It is a joy to know that our God is seated on the throne, and that we can trust in Him.
Longing for Jesus Return with you,
Pastor Rob