To God’s Beloved At Cloverdale Baptist Church:
The world has a way of making me feel small. Fires that threaten homes and communities. Viruses that shut down countries, you might even argue the entire world. Sicknesses that put babies in hospitals and families in recovery, and death at the corner of so many situations. Elections that change the course of a nation, and SO MUCH MORE….in fact countries like Afghanistan seem like just the tip of the iceberg of pain and heartache. Life in a fallen world is not easy, and should drive us to prayer. Please pray for these situations and so many others as God brings them to mind! We are frail, and the ONLY HOPE we have is our God, apart from Him we can do nothing!
This is why our PRAYER MEETINGS are so important. Reminder that over the summer we are seeking to make prayer a significant part of who we are as a church family, or perhaps an increased part of who we are. Please pray more, and join the church in prayer meetings if you have the time. LORD WE NEED YOU! Tuesday, 7-8.
I am so thankful that God is Sovereign, Good, and All Wise so we can trust Him completely! He also, through the Gospel calls us to approach His throne of grace with boldness! What a privilege…what a responsibility! We can trust Him, and we have a responsibility to pursue His best in prayer and all of life!
Our journey through Malachi has not been easy, but incredibly challenging!
How do we live our lives for the glory of God and pursue intimacy and authenticity in our relationship with the living God. It is so easy to deceive ourselves, and those around us in religion that is not relational, to avoid a relationship with Jesus that drives and defines us, and this is so dangerous, so I am hoping that the Bible over the summer has shouted out that the Emperor has no clothes….
Malachi has taught us of the danger of empty formalism, and shown us that God claims those as His treasured possession who fear Him, actively pursue His presence, and revere His name. If we take this to the New Testament, it is a passionate relationship with God through the glory of the Gospel.
By grace, through faith in Jesus, we can live in a reconciled relationship with our Creator. God is HOLY, and we are sinners. We can’t earn our way to God, nor can we be good enough no matter how hard we try. We have earned death, and Jesus has paid that wage, and we by grace through faith can receive His payment for us, and live a new life, forgiven and free.
When we have experienced this, and live in light of it, we can know we are authentic if we follow the pathway laid out for us by Malachi.
Having finished this book, and held it up as a mirror to my life, and our congregations, I long for intimacy and authenticity with the living God. Each morning I want to thank Him for His grace and the goodness of the Gospel that reconciles me to His grace and love. Then I want to commit to live my life in the FEAR of God, the PRESENCE of God, and to REVERE His Name.
A prayer for living authentically before the living God, for His glory, in thanksgiving, with a passion for His ways as an overflow of this passion is something that I want to share with you, and to encourage you to pray with me.
My Father, today I want to live my life in your presence, for your glory. Thank you for your love for me, you did not spare your own Son, but gave Him up for us all. Thank you! Lord Jesus, you died so that I could live and I long to know you more, and experience your love fully. You are Sovereign, Good, and All Wise, and you are worthy of my trust always!
Today I commit to live my life in your presence, to seek to be conscious of your nearness, and to set You before me always. I want to know you so well that I fear you, that I am fearful of disobeying your Word, or distrusting your character and plan. Please help me to see you, and know you so that this fear is real and strong, and causes me to cling to you, and to live for you. I long to revere your Name, to live in your presence and to know you and represent you to others in the church, and world so that they might join me in bringing you glory.
Today, I commit to live my life conscious of your presence, aware you have a plan for me of good works prepared in advance, and longing to live in such a way that others see your greatness and grace.
I am yours, and want to live authentically with you and for you, and be driven and defined by my relationship with you!
This is my prayer for my own heart, and the hearts of all who call Him LORD at CBC. Join me in seeking to FEAR HIM, REVERE HIM, and SET HIM BEFORE YOU!
A Fellow Treasured Possession Of The King,
Pastor Rob
Please prayerfully consider serving God in our different ministries. We need you to serve if we are to be ready to go, fully engaged and growing people for God's glory! WE NEED YOU!
Stay Informed!
https://www.
Get Connected:
Join a Bible Study, Growth Group, and find a place to SERVE!