To God’s Beloved At Cloverdale Baptist Church:
One of the lessons we are still learning as a church that submits to the Lordship of Jesus, is the importance of the local church. Knowing God is Sovereign, and looking for the lessons that we can take out of the trials of the past few years (James 1), this is one of the most significant for my own heart. To see church as essential and to serve God and one another in submission to our Saviour is key to our own spiritual health, and the health of others!
Want to share two interactions this week, that have blessed my heart and show the meaningfulness of these lesson.
One person shared with me how church realigns their priorities each week as they serve Jesus here with their family. They overflowed with appreciation for the opportunity to serve and gather, and the depth of focus on Jesus it offered to them. One of the things this person shared with me was, “I need the gathering, and so appreciate how when I come to CBC it aligns my heart, priorities, and love back in line with how God views it”. AMEN! God’s Word not only shares the importance of belonging to the people of God and serving His bride (Ephesians 4:11-16), but also the danger if we don’t (Hebrews 3:12-14).
My heart rejoiced with this testimony from a faithful follower of Jesus and what gathering means to his family’s life.
Another person shared how important the local church was to him, and how difficult it has been not to attend over these trials. They gushed as they had the opportunity to be back with God’s people and rejoiced, even as they had made effort to stay connected online, how much it meant for them to be with God’s people again! It is good to be a part of the family of God!
This particular trial is not over, although I hope we are close, but there will be more, and I am thankful that we can grow closer to God and one another when we respond in the power of the Spirit, and the joy of humble preferring of one another. I will be thrilled when we are all together again in the worship centre praising God and longing to hear from His Word, without masks, and all of the vulnerable rejoicing with us! I can't wait for that day, and until then, let us love one another, and stay connected. Please join us in sending a card, making a phone call, using email, or texts, or any other way you can think of to share the love of Jesus with people.
More and more people are struggling with depression, isolation, or even cognitive dissonance in anxiety, and Jesus has an answer of love and hope, and it includes His people having the courage and humility to love one another. Join us and encourage three, share with one, and invite one. We are the church of Jesus, and He is among us...REAL, RELEVANT, and WORTHY!
I am thankful that we are growing (largest attendance in a long long time), thankful that our online ministry is staying strong, and thankful for people who love God enough to choose to worship together even when some of their political leanings are different than others. I think if Jesus could work with zealots and tax collectors, we can worship with those who differ on non-biblical things as well. May we continue to know God well enough to major on the things that matter most to Him, and love on the secondary things so powerfully (Ephesians 5:1-2) that our desire to serve one another will be stronger than our desire to convince others we are right.
I am thankful for other believers, and know personally and by observing others that God works through His people! Thank you for seeking to stay united, and also for looking to stay connected. It has not been easy, and although in my understanding of the times we might be near the end of this current mess, in a broken world there are more to come…so let us stay fixated Jesus, and remember as He walks among us that He is REAL & RELEVANT and not only knows all we are going through, is Sovereign over it and will use it for our good and His glory.
Sunday is Coming
Heaven Is For Real:
Revelation 4
- Why does it seem to be so hard for us to live in light of eternity?
- What are some of the things that distract you from fixing your eyes on what is unseen (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)?
- How can you intensify your desires so that you live for eternal reward?
- Why is knowing heaven is real so important for us if we want to live lives of love, holiness and humility as we anticipate going there in the midst of the brokenness of life here on earth?
- How does having an eternal focus help us to see life here on earth more in line with Jesus?
- Why do you think these churches needed to hear Revelation 4 and 5?
- Why do we?
- How can we be so heavenly minded that we are some earthly good?
Honoured to serve Him, by serving you,
Pastor Rob