To God’s Beloved At Cloverdale Baptist Church:
Happy Family Day!
This is a chance to get a day off, and to enjoy time with the family. More than that, an opportunity to rejoice in the gift of family, and honour our parents, delight in our spouse (if we have one), and lead our children to honour Jesus
As our world drifts in confusion, it is also a reminder for us to see family the way God does in His Word. Not only in terms of what He has created it to be, but also in how we can be families that honour God.
How can we do this? Two reminders, that I suppose we already know, but helpful not to forget!
- Know God and be driven and defined by our relationship with Him. I suppose this is the answer to everything, but it is key to being healthy as families! If you want to be blessed by God in your family, make sure to LOVE HIM with all you are and all you have! Being relational with God is the key to having a healthy family, and seeking to glorify Him in every decision will keep you from making most of the mistakes families make. Obey His Word, love His Name, rejoice in the Gospel, see all of life as a place for mission, and you will be a healthy family!
- Keep God Central in your conversation and choices. This is not easy in a world filled with distractions and destruction. Pain, and pleasure are tools of the enemy of family to distract us from God. How do we keep God central? Well, go back to #1, but more than that, follow Deuteronomy 6. Love God, talk about God, and keep your commitment to Jesus bride a priority. It is not easy to do this as the world creeps in, but it is important to display your treasuring of God and His bride to those in your family. If God dominates your conversation, COVID, or Government, or sports will be secondary! I do want the Canucks to trade away their stars for a future run, and the Flames to get them, but whether you agree with me or not, we can still be family and have a future of unity and joy because God is our central reality and focus.
Happy Family Day! I hope that you are reminded of how God views family, and perhaps even more important pursue being a healthy family in the choices you are responsible for! The world will not understand our view of family very much longer, but if they see God's love and perspective from us, they will want to know the reason for our HOPE. Let us prepare to give an answer because we are passionate about Jesus.
The world seems to be getting more and more out of control…and I am so thankful that Revelation 4 is in the Bible, and in God’s timing our focus during these times. If you are anxious or angry, fearful or fighting, get your eyes back onto the throne, open your eyes, your heart, and your hands, and serve God! He has placed you where you are at to represent Him at such a time as this, and I believe the darker the world, the more our hope will set us apart and create opportunities to share why we have this hope.
We need not fear the government, or the pandemic! We need not panic over Biden, or Russia, or even Trudeau! Meditate again on Isaiah 40, and dust on scales, or drops in a bucket and TRUST GOD! You need never FEAR! If you are angry, or anxious, step back from your situation, and SEE GOD!
I love sparrows and eagles, and have needed both during these times. Matthew 10:29-31, and Isaiah 40:29-31 give us great reminders of our rest and trust. We went walking as a family today and looked for eagles, and found one. Noticed more and more sparrows as spring draws near. REST in GOD!
If you struggle with anxiety, or anger…NOW IS THE TIME TO LOOK TO THE ONE ON THE THRONE, and don’t lose sight of Him, so you can say, here I am send me…so that you can unite with those who love Him, and so that you can live on mission for Him, in the world, but not of the world.
Another great way of staying strong during these times is encouraging others. REALLY…it is to find someone that needs prayer, or pursuing with a phone call, or note. There are so many that feel like they are exhausted or falling through the cracks, and if each of us makes an effort, we will find that God uses us to encourage one another!
Take the time to encourage 3, invite 3, and share the Gospel with 1. If we all do this, then family day will not only strengthen our theology of family and our personal family unit, it will strengthen the family of God that we belong to.
Take the time to thank God every day, and to hear His Word and see His throne, and live for His glory...
Happy Family Day!
I am glad you are in our family, and privileged to serve you, because I see Him!
Pastor Rob
Sunday is coming...
Meditate on John 17:1-5
Congrats to the Grandparents of Esme (A staff privilege of congrats)!