Finding Contentment as we live our lives in Jesus and for Jesus
To God's Beloved At Cloverdale Baptist Church:
What does it mean to be content in Christ. 1 Timothy 6:6 tells us that godliness with contentment is great gain. So, to be content in Christ will help us to live like He wants us too. To be godly is to be like Him, to be content is, "the state of being mentally or emotionally satisfied with the way things are". I think that might be a little too secular for me, so my definition of Christian contentment is, "a strong faith in the Sovereignty of God that is satisfied in Him, in the midst of anything and everything He has allowed in our lives". Christian contentment does not mean we don't strive with all of our might to be more holy, or help others to know Jesus and follow Him more effectively, but it does mean we trust in Him, and rest in Him regardless of our circumstances. It means that He, "satisfies us in the morning with His unfailing love".
Being content in our current culture is difficult as so many want to share complaints rather than compliments, and so few actively live in the presence of God and experience the power of the Spirit. So how can we grow in this contentment that God calls great gain?
1. Seek God and His Glory First and Most: Matthew 6:32-33
This is in the context of being called not to worry about anything, and it is actively choosing to pursue God and His will. This passion chases out worry, and replaces it with mission. It allows the follower of Jesus to be content in every situation because they know that God has placed them in that situation with a purpose!
2. Surrender To God In Prayer In All Things: Philippians 4:4-8
This is the casting our cares on Him of 1 Peter 5, it is the taking to God of all things that are causing us care, and resting in Him. If we believe that He is REAL and RELEVANT, then everything else becomes about Him, and for Him.
3. Savour Who God Is, and That He Is For You: Philippians 4:12-13; Hebrews 13:5-6; Romans 8:32-39
He is enough. NO REALLY...He is enough. That is obvious when we know how amazing He is, but so often we live with a diminished perspective of His glory so we look to worldly things and people to satisfy us. We are to find full satisfaction in Him so that we can live surrendered to Him.
If we do these three simple things, we will find contentment a reality, not just a longing. We will find rest possible, and be shocked when discontent creeps into our hearts. We will find satisfaction in God that will lead to a service of Him, and a building up of His people.
Contentment is a MARK OF FAITH.
You can do all things through Him who gives you strength, you can be content...so today choose to live in His presence for His glory, and measure your contentment with your Christlikeness, and your building of others through what you say (Ephesians 4:29).
Please pray for the situation in Ukraine and our team on the ground there. Please pray many would come to know Jesus and this conflict would end soon.
One of our strategic goals is to help people know Jesus. The key to this is that each of us is to be in the world but not of the world so that we can share the reason for the hope we have (1 Peter 2:11-12). It means living as though God is REAL and RELEVANT because He is, and being ready to share His Gospel with people we interact with.
We want to help you prepare for this, as well as engage in it in our community. We are privileged to have Pastor Ray doing an Evangelism course, and the next instalment is this Sunday (March 27th) at 6:30. We want to equip you to live on mission for God and His glory!
We are also excited to report that our Evangelism team that serves at Cloverdale Kitchen is flourishing, which is an answer to prayer. We are so thankful for this team, and the willingness that they have to provide physical and spiritual food to those in need. We are actively sharing Jesus love and food, and they love our food, and we are seeking to help them love our God!
Prayer Requests given to me by our team on the ground...:1. Pls remember Lorraine in prayer as she trains and leads the team in the kitchen. For strength, time management & total dependence on Jesus. 2. Protection of health & safety over the entire team as we transition meal service indoors. 3. SUMMER NEEDS— we anticipate many volunteers being away for summer holidays. Our ministry continues straight through summer & need extra volunteers. (Call to service please!) I am thankful for those serving in our evangelistic programs, and thankful for all of us who are seeking to live lives on mission for God and His glory in the world He has placed us in.
Over my years in ministry I have often heard of people who want more of an evangelistic focus from our church and I am one of those, but I mean me and you, not some program or policy. We do need programs, and I am so thankful for our Evangelism team, but even more than programs we need PEOPLE living for Jesus in the world, but not of the world, reaching their neighbours and friends for Jesus!
We are excited to report that the Youth Retreat went very well! There were many that recommitted their lives to Jesus, and at least one that made a first time decision for Him! Thank you for your prayers and support of this team, and Pastor Thomas...WELL DONE! So thankful for God's work in us and through us!
New Comers Luncheon: All who consider themselves newcomers, and haven't been to one of these is welcome to join us Sunday, right after service for a lunch and an opportunity to CONNECT and hear about where God is leading us!
Pray for your ELDERS as we gather to grow in our passion to be servant leaders and retreat together on Saturday! God has blessed you with an amazing group of servant leaders, please pray for them as they seek His will and unity in Him for us!
Sunday Is Coming:
Title: The Horror Of History
Text: Revelation 6
It is our delight to continue our journey through Revelation. Many who have started this journey end at chapter 5 because they think the rest of the book is about details, rather than delight in the Sovereignty of God in a broken world. We may not all agree on the details of the rapture, or return of Jesus, but we can rejoice that He is coming again, and is Sovereign over history. History is HIS STORY!
- Why is it important for us to keep our eyes focused on the Lamb when we enter this next section of Revelation?
- How can we keep our eyes on Jesus in a broken and disturbed world?
- Why do you think the prayers of the witnesses are so important to God?
- How does this chapter in Revelation help us to be faithful in a broken world?
Privileged to serve Him, by serving you,
Pastor Rob
We have been blessed over the past number of years by an amazing Office Administrator. Judi Turner took this position at a time when our organizational skills were low in this role, and she brought a heart for God, His bride at CBC, and the skills needed to help us excel. As she moves into retirement, she will be missed. The best thing I can say about Judi is that she walks with God, and her relationship with God is what drives and defines her. We have been blessed to have her in this role, and we know that God will continue to use her for His glory in our church family as she moves into retirement. THANK YOU JUDI!
As we consider a long term solution for this important ministry, we are moving forward with Lori and Natasha adding hours, and some of our pastors, deacons and elders stepping up in terms of helping us through this next stage. Please pray especially for Lori and Natasha and the added work load they will be carrying for us!
NOTICE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING
Please be advised of the upcoming Extraordinary General Meeting:
- Sunday, April 10, 2022
- 11:45 a.m. directly after the worship service
- In the sanctuary
- At Cloverdale Baptist Church, 18685 – 64th Ave, Surrey, B.C.
There will be an Extraordinary General Meeting as noted above to elect a search committee responsible to find a candidate for:
“Pastor of Families with a Focus on Children”
A copy of the Ministry Description will be available at the Ministry Desk on March 20th until the time of the scheduled meeting.
Notice: April 10, 2022 Extraordinary General Meeting