To God's Beloved At Cloverdale Baptist Church:
Today, in 1987, while I was at Briercrest Bible College with very little access to news or TV, 18 month old Baby Jessica was rescued. Jessica had fallen into a 8 inch wide opening 58 hours before, and as the world watched with baited breath the rescue effort began. This day in history reports, "After dropping about 22 feet into the well, the little girl became stuck. Over the next two-and-a-half days, crews of rescue workers, mining experts and local volunteers labored around the clock to drill a shaft parallel to the one in which McClure was trapped. They then tunneled horizontally through dense rock to connect the two shafts. A microphone was lowered into the well to keep tabs on the toddler, who could be heard crying, humming and singing throughout the ordeal."
I am so glad that our world valued this precious little girl so much, and spent the time, treasures and talents of so many people to rescue her. It felt like the world rejoiced when she was finally rescued! I believe her life was worth it, and the watching world agreed! Each person made in the image of God has tremendous value.
Today, in 1812, as Canada was winning her war with her neighbour to the south, Henry Martyn went to be with his Lord at the young age of 31. He had been raised by his dad (mom died in child birth), and lived a rough life. After almost killing a friend, and the death of his father he took some time to seriously reflect on life, and in that gave his life fully to Jesus and became the very first modern world missionary to the muslims. He spent time in Persia (modern day Iran), and then on to Turkey, seeking to minister to people with the Gospel before finally dying in Tokat, Turkey. His legacy included many who knew Jesus, and even more the translation of the New Testament and Psalms into Persian.
Why these two stories to begin our weekly update. To remind us as we reflect seriously on our own lives of the value of human life, and the importance of ministering to people for eternity! May we invest our lives in saving those around us, in ministering effectively where God has placed us with Gospel conversations so that the investment of our time, treasures and resources will make a PROFOUND ETERNAL DIFFERENCE! When Baby Jessica was saved, we (who are old enough to remember) rejoiced. When someone is saved from the kingdom of darkness, to the Kingdom of Light, all heaven REJOICES! Eternity is changed. Let us never forget to value humans made in the image of God, and to live our lives on mission as His Ambassadors in a way that will IMPACT eternity.
Thank you for praying with us for so many things we have a number of reminders for you this week:
Please pray for our missionaries, and specifically this week we are praying for Roy and Gwyn Comrie. They have returned from their last trip and it went well, please pray for their continued preaching ministries here, impact of the book, and future travel plans. Please pray that God would continue to use them in a high impact way, and their health would be good!
Please join us for prayer on Wednesday mornings at 7:00 (come a little earlier for coffee and muffins if you want).
Please pray for our church's resources (financial). Our offerings are a little down this year, so we are trying to respond accordingly and restrict our investments of God's money here for God's glory. Would you pray for us as we do this, as well as prayerfully consider increasing your offerings. This is the first time I have experienced this at CBC (a shortfall of income versus expenses), and I do know that God will provide for what God has planned, and I hope and pray He will use us to do that in this place for His glory. We would love to see our people committed to God's glory through God's vision here richly provide for our ministries, so as one of those precious people who call this church home, please pray for us as a church that we would have more than we need, and individually how you can respond to help in our time of shortness.
We have elections coming, please pray for the outcome and engage and vote as good citizens. Would encourage you to find out where each person running stands on important issues to you (and to God) and to vote accordingly. Your vote matters!
Please pray for your elders as we have a long planned and prayed for retreat starting this Thursday night. We will be prayerfully seeking to lead our church forward for His glory, and long to be filled with the Holy Spirit, unified, and joyfully leading God's people God's way for God's glory. WE NEED YOUR PRAYERS!
Sunday Is Coming:
Title: Canada, It's Worse Than You Think
Text: Romans 2-3
- What do you think the biggest problem in Canada is?
- What do you think Romans 2-3 would say it is?
- How do we help solve this problem?
- How can we learn to see life through God's eyes, so to offer hope in brokenness?
- How can we engage in Gospel living and conversations in a way that we share the joy of the GOOD NEWS in a humble, clear manner?
- Why do you think Paul spends so much time focused on the problem as he begins this great letter?
- Review Romans 1:5, and Romans 1:16-17, how can we live these realities out in our every day lives?
Looking forward to a great, unifying, impacting week serving Jesus, with His people for His glory! Make sure to spend some time in the book of Romans so that our study here changes your life.
Your joy filled servant,
Pastor Rob