To God's Beloved At Cloverdale Baptist Church:
It is good to be home. Thank you for taking the time to pray for the persecuted church around the world this Sunday, and this week. It is good to join with the greater Church in this effective way of joining those persecuted for their faith in their struggle by praying for them. Sometimes we live in ignorance of what is going on around the world, so I encourage you today to keep on praying, and stay aware of what God's people are going through around the world. More on this in a few weeks as we focus a corporate time of prayer on this reality and take time on Sunday night to hear more from those who have gone through so much and pray!
Our week away was AMAZING. The best part of it was undivided attention with the wife of my youth. What a joy to be able to relax together, and where we were I did not have access to my phone, so the world was left behind us. Thank you for praying for us, and our report back was it a complete JOY!
Next Monday is Remembrance Day. This is a day that we seek to remember those who have fought for our freedom, and those who are not fighting for our freedom. On November 11, at 11 am, in 1918 World War 1 officially ended. Take the time to pray for our current soldiers and police force, and also at 11, to follow the tradition of two minutes of silence to remember those who have died for freedom. It is easy to forget, as war seems so distant, so let us join those who choose not to.
As Christians, remembrance is a key part of how we live as we focus on the One who purchased our spiritual freedom. We must never forget Jesus and the good news of the Gospel and live in light of what He has done for us always.
Tomorrow (November 9) marks the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall (1991). This was a clear mark in history of the collapse of Soviet communism, and many have tied this fall directly to the prayers of God's people. I was listening to one of my favourite preachers on prayer and he shared that when he heard people proclaiming this fall as an answer to prayer, he was tempted to share with them all of the other circumstances that were involved in the thawing of the cold war, but was stopped in his tracks by the realization that God is over all, and uses the prayers of His people to accomplish His will. Never doubt that God is Sovereign and as you reflect on the fall of the Berlin wall, and the power of a praying people let it draw you more and more into the presence of God, and make you a regular attender of all of our corporate prayer gatherings! God moves through the prayers of His people and this privilege is one we should never take lightly. PRAY!
Sunday Is Coming:
We are beginning a new series called, Encountering Jesus. This is a series that will focus on who Jesus is and how He encountered real people on His journey. Our goal in this mini series is to get to know Him better so that our faith deepens and our lives are better defined by our own encounters with Him!
Text: Matthew 16:13-28
Title: Encountering Jesus: The Most Important Question In History
Take the time to read through this great text, and let the Holy Spirit help you to understand its richness and revelation of who Jesus is and the importance of His church.
- Why do you think that Peter was so right and then so wrong?
- What does Jesus build His church on?
- How can we be a part of building the local church?
- Why is the cost of discipleship so closely follow the glory of the building of the church and the promise that the gates of hell will not prevail against her?
- How can you use the encounters people had with Jesus in God's Word to deepen your own relationship with Him?
Joyful to be back and to serve you, anticipating growing deeper in intimacy with God and wider in impact for His glory, with you,
Pastor Rob