To God's Beloved At Cloverdale Baptist Church:
I am thankful that our youth have returned, and the reports from Pastor Thomas are that God answered our prayers. WELCOME BACK youth reading this, we are so thankful that the rain held off while you were outside and that many of you re-committed your lives to Jesus. We will continue to pray for you, and expect from you a new vibrancy that will impact us all. Thank you for seeking God with all your heart and please know, our precious youth, that this is our goal as well. For the rest of us non-youth, what a privilege to pursue God together for His glory, and always be willing to take the next step of obedience and surrender. I am glad to be a part of a church that values youth ministry and has a team (well done Pastor Thomas) who leads them into a deeper intimacy with Jesus and calls them to a wider impact for Him.
Reminder: Sunday School this week is a missions report from the Fenske's. Worthwhile taking part in, if you are not a regular at Sunday School (adults and youth) YOU ARE WELCOME, and our normal classes for adults are cancelled. It will be from 9 - 10, in the Fellowship Hall. Coffee provided.
Romans 8...what a blessing to hear how God is using this precious chapter to convict, enable courage, and offer comfort. Please keep reading it every day, doing the devotional, and talking about it with others. One of the ways we grow is by discussing God's Word in community, and although it takes a humility and community awareness to do this, it is WORTH IT. So, today (and every day in the 31 day devotional cycle), read Romans 8 and discuss it with someone in our church. Then we will let the Word Of God Dwell In Us Richly together! JUST DO IT!
I read a book yesterday that had me laughing, crying and filled with hope. It is a book by Mark Jones called, If I Could Speak: Letters From The Womb. It is written from the perspective of a baby girl in the womb, and her experience of life leading up to an abortion, and then the response of the mom after some time to reflect on all that happened. It is creative, and powerful. In talking with Mark, one of the points he is seeking to make, is that we must learn our theology emotionally as well as with our minds. My heart has often ached over the plight of so many unborn, and my own inability to know how best to love and protect the precious helpless babies in harms way. I have marched, prayed, given to baby bottle drives, counselled, preached, taught, and more...yet always felt woefully overwhelmed with what little I am doing, or we are doing as a North American church. I know this book is not the only answer, but it is a great step in the right direction of arguing the value and preciousness of the unborn emotionally. It brought tears, and hope, and is written in a winsome way, causing me to pray every mom considering an abortion would read this book. Worth the read, and continued prayer and the pursuit of how we as followers of Jesus can express the preciousness of life in the womb, and seek their protection as valued people made in the image of God.
Sunday Is Coming:
Title: I Am A Child Of God
Text: Romans 8:14-17
One of the greatest realities in the world is that God, the creator and ALL POWERFUL God, sees me as His child. I can call Him, ABBA (dearest daddy). WOW!
As we have been studying Romans 8, we have noticed that it is one of the great passages on the role of the HOLY SPIRIT, and in this text, one of His main roles is to provide the assurance of relationship to those who believe. These verses can be the cry of the heart of every believer and profoundly shape how we deal with all of life in His tender care.
- Why do you think the Spirit needs to share this with our hearts?
- How can we experience this tender intimacy with our Heavenly Father?
- Why does this matter?
- How does John 1:12-13 help us to understand the preciousness of this reality?
- How can you grow in your intimacy with God this week, as you cry out to Him, ABBA FATHER!
So many of you have interacted with me about our text and sermon from last week, and the changes that God is bringing in your life. Thank you, keep pursuing holiness in the power of the Spirit, and not only will you find joy and change, you will be a part of a movement that God is bringing to our entire church! Live in the power of the Spirit as you glorify God!
A fellow son of God,
Pastor Rob