To God's Beloved At Cloverdale Baptist Church:
It is good to be home, thank you for your prayers for my time teaching James at Millar, and the journey over and back on the high highway. I am not as good a winter traveler as an ex Albertan should be, so my knuckles are almost back to a normal colour. I have fallen in love with the book of James, I suppose that happens when you teach through a book, I think the most important book for the Canadian church, so encourage you to read it slowly, highlight where God's Spirit is speaking to you, and use it as a mirror to bring correction and joy to your life.
The snow is falling, the ground well covered, schools closed and the roads empty...the snow has come to the lower mainland. A precious friend from Houston used to always remind us that the first snow was a great reminder of what God does for us when He forgives our sins, He makes us pure, white as freshly fallen snow, a beautiful analogy. So when the snow flies, in the midst of much longer commutes, more shovelling and the rare prayer for rain in Cloverdale, use this snow as a reminder of what God has declared and produced in your life ( Romans 8:1; Isaiah 1:18).
Reminder: Sunday School Is ON. This is for all ages, Sunday from 9-10, and the adult classes are both ones that you can come in and join even if you can only do it once in a while, or want to start now. Pastor Ray is leading a class on Apologetics, THINKING, and worthwhile if you want to learn how to effectively defend your faith. I am teaching one on the book of James, and the focus is on a whole hearted devotion to God, or a faith that works. We want to be a healthy disciple making church and one of the tools we want you to take advantage of is our Sunday School mission. Grab a coffee so you can stay engaged, and JOIN US in our passion to have INTIMACY with Jesus and IMPACT on His mission this coming year.
In February we are going to continue our journey through Romans and we have produced Bible Study guides again for this. They include a 31 day devotional guide, some articles as well as questions and places for notes for the Romans sermons. These books are being used by other churches (previous ones) and their reception has been excellent. We encourage you to buy one ($5, cheaper than you can get them on Amazon), and use them to grow in your knowledge of God's Word and the change it brings. This particular book covers one of the most transforming chapters in Scripture, Romans 8, so please join us in working through the book, and in talking about it in your families, growth groups and with your friends. They will be available in a few weeks.
Encourage you to read through the Bible with us as a church, and to share with one another what you are reading. There are many good Bible reading programs so encourage you to use any, but if you use the one we are walking through I like it even better so that you can talk about it with your friends. Copies of our pathway can be picked up at the information desk, and we encourage you to grow in your Word Saturation together.
We are planning another baptism service soon, if you want to know more about obeying our LORD in believers baptism by immersion please see one of your pastors and we will seek to walk you through this great relational step of honouring Jesus.
Sunday Is Coming:
Title: Gospel Generosity: Giving As An Overflow Of A Heart For God
Text: 2 Corinthians 9
- Why do you think it is so hard to talk about giving in churches?
- Why do you think that this is one of Jesus favourite topics (topic of money)?
- Why does God tell us that generous givers gain blessing?
- How is the message of the Bible different than what prosperity Gospel people would want you to believe?
- Why do you think our passage commands generous, joyful and willing giving?
- As you evaluate how you invest God's money that has been entrusted to you, does it show that you love His bride, and are investing in eternity?
Like you, I swim in this culture and preparing and delivering messages is one of the greatest ways to know God better and be convicted to follow Him more fully. With you I find messages on giving hard to hear (and to give), and yet given the reality that it is in God's Word and displays our hearts perhaps more effectively than anything else, I look forward to a great impact on our lives in looking together at God's Word and standing under it for God's glory and our joy.
A Fellow Fully Devoted Follower,
Pastor Rob