To God's Beloved At Cloverdale Baptist Church:
Labour day weekend is a good weekend to remember the value God places on how we work. We represent Him, as we bear His name, and as such should work as if He was our boss, as He is (Colossians 3:23). As you enjoy your day off, remember to glorify Him in your workplace (1 Corinthians 10:31). If you are retired use this, "day off", to pray for those in our family who are working and need God's help in their desire to be in the world, but not of the world. Also remember to pray for our high school students as they return to school, and all that this means for them.
We have been talking about what it means to be a good friend (or what to look for in a godly friend). We sometimes see this as most important for young people, but I have noticed that how we live life as adults is hugely impacted by who our friends are! Friends can lead you astray, or help you stand firm in difficult times for the glory of God!
It is helpful to remember what a godly friend looks like...
F: Faithful: So important, especially when you go through difficult times. I praise God for those who have been faithful friends to me, and pray I can be a faithful friend to those God blesses me with in my life.
R: Right relationship with God, perhaps the most important of these attributes, as our first love devotion is sharpened by those who have this as well, and we need sharpening!
I: Integrity. This attribute as we will use it, is similar to the last two, but speaks to the personal living out who you say you are in private and public. It is an honesty in private and public, guided by God's Word with His moral compass. It leads to security (Proverbs 10:9), and trust. A man or woman of integrity, is a friend you know will speak well of you, and will be the same in front of your face, as well as behind your back. This is someone that in the battles life brings will stand with you, on God's side, even to their hurt. If you want a good friend look for someone with personal integrity, if you want to be a good friend work on this, so that what you have to offer honours God. Samuel Johnson said, "their can be no friendship without confidence, and no confidence without integrity".
Please pay careful attention to things that are coming. Two stand out in our desire as a church to be a disciple making church. Sunday School for all ages will kick off on September 18. Please take the time to find where you fit in, and can learn. We will have at least two adult classes, and look forward to growing together. I asked a friend last week what he thought was a major issue with the North American church, and he answered biblical illiteracy. We want to make sure at CBC that teaching the word of God to the people of God is a high priority.
September 11 is a luncheon after our Sunday morning service, with a focus on Growth Groups. Join us for lunch, and please prayerfully consider getting involved in our growth group ministry as an opportunity to connect with other people in the church. It is the best way to accomplish the one another's of Scripture, and key to spiritual health. Join us for lunch, and make sure you are signed up to be a part of a growth group!
Sunday Is Coming
Our focus this Sunday will be on understanding what Biblical worship looks like. Worship of the God of the Bible should be what motivates us and unifies us the most as Christians and yet throughout history, the flesh, the world and the devil seem to sometimes be winning the battle and using this to divide God's people.
Pastor Les will be seeking to show from Psalm 95 what Biblical worship looks like, and call us to be a church family that worships God in the way He requires.
Read Psalm 95, and come prayerfully anticipating what God's Spirit would have you learn.
Have a great weekend, as you enjoy an extra day off, or perhaps for our students a last day off, or for our retired, just another day, and remember to exalt the living God in all you say and do.
A fellow worshipper,
Pastor Rob