To God's Beloved At Cloverdale Baptist Church:
DON'T GIVE UP!
That can mean so many different things to different people in different circumstances, but it is a biblical cry. A friend shared with me this week that he had a huge blessing phone call from his sister, who he had been praying for for 35 years. She shared when he happened to call one specific day, that she knew he was going to call, and when he asked further, the joy overflowed as she had been reading some books that he gave her, finally understood, and there was joy in heaven and earth. Don't give up, if your praying for a family member to know Jesus, or seeking to live for Jesus in a difficult circumstance. Jesus made it clear that at times we would need to hear, ALWAYS PRAY AND DON'T GIVE UP, so for today, find hope in the plan of God, and even when it feels like 35 years, take heart, God is at work in His time (which is always best) for His glory. Don't Give Up!
Sunday I had the amazing privilege of seeing the IMPACT of God's people at Cloverdale Baptist Church. After the message one of our servants of the King came to me and asked if I would visit with someone. We found a table in the Fellowship Hall, and helped a precious young lady verbalize her faith for the first time and trust in Jesus. It was a joy not only to be a part of this (so small, and yet so significant), as well as to hear the story of our people inviting her to church, befriending her and sharing with her the Gospel in their work place, and loving her in our church family. God in His Sovereignty was clearly at work in the life of this new believer, and we got to be a part of it as a church because we were seeking to show others how great God is! I praise God for you, and through you for setting off a celebration in heaven. God is at work in us and through us and there are so many more stories we could share and be a part of...but once in a while it is good to see them in writing so we can rejoice together, and be encouraged and challenged to keep on serving together for God's glory. He is good, and His love endures forever!
Remember that tonight is our congregational meeting where we gather to worship, seek God's will, and display what healthy Christians look like as a family when they go about God's business. If you are a member please come filled with prayer and join us for a great evening. If you are not a member, you are welcome to come and watch God at work through the corporate seeking of His will by the members of CBC.
Don't Forget: Women's Breakfast; C & C Retreat; Grad Sunday...etc.
We also will be having a baptismal service on June 23, if you have not been baptized in a biblical manner (by immersion as a believer in a local church), please contact one of your pastors and we would love to spend time with you seeking God's best for your life in obedience to His Word.
Please pray for our leadership teams as we seek God's glory together in making plans for next year! We so want to be a vibrant church where each part does it's work, and to do that we need wise, committed, loyal, faithful elders and deacons...so pray for our JST (Joint Servant Team) as we seek to pursue excellence together!
Missions: Please be in prayer for Julie Gibson, as she continues to serve God in Albania. Pray for her own spiritual growth, impact for her ministry as she disciples many and strength and health for the staff of youth/young adult camps.
Sunday Is Coming:
As you prepare your hearts for Sunday's message spend time in God's Word now reflecting on how you can become more and more Word saturated. We believe that God has so ordered things that sanctification comes through God's Word, and so we long to not only make this our priority personally, but also corporately (John 17:17)
Title: The Struggle Against Sin Is Real
Text: Romans 7:7-25
- Why do you think honesty with where we are at spiritually is essential to spiritual growth and health?
- What is the value of the law of God?
- Why is it important we as NT Christians value the law of God (OT)?
- What are some ways that you find that you are growing in your Christian walk?
- How can you be sure you are ever increasing in these?
Please continue to pray for me...this is the best way you can support me in my role as your preaching pastor. I covet your prayers, and in praying for me, for intimacy with God and impact through my preparation, preaching and discipleship, you are a key part of what does in me and through me...THANK YOU!
Have a blessed week.
Remember: Communion Sunday, a huge highlight for us as God's people as we remember together the greatness of God's love for us. This communion, we will be learning a new song, as well as overflowing our hearts in praise in singing a few songs after we have focused on Jesus. The reason for this is to help us have an avenue for praise and celebration after we have worshipped so deeply at the foot of the cross. We hope this small adjustment to our order of service is a blessing to your heart, and allows you to overflow with us the greatness of what Jesus has done for us on the cross!
Privileged to serve you,
Pastor Rob