To God’s Beloved At Cloverdale Baptist Church:
It is a joy to follow Jesus in a church that values God’s Word.
This is perhaps the most important passion we can have as God’s people, to be those who are WORD saturated, for if we are not, we will quickly follow a worldly narrative. James describes this as being a friend of the world, John, as loving the world, and both descriptions come with horrific warnings of God’s desire for us to be His in how we think.
The number one way we are called to fight the demonic realm is to take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 12:10). The best way to be pure and holy is to memorize and meditate on God’s Word (Psalm 1; 119:11) with the Spirit's help. It is the only way to stay unstained from the world, and to be an encouragement to other followers of God (Psalm 95; Colossians 3:16-17).
In our discipleship model, we call this TRUTH. We are to be HOLY, set apart, pure…practically, and we are to be WORD SATURATED.
The how to do this is relatively simple, the problem is most of us choose not to, and as a result end up snuggling up to the worlds way of thinking on issues where the world and Word are in conflict.
Simple direction:
Messages: Make sure you listen to messages that are biblically driven, not culturally sensitive. When I say this, I mean make sure that the sermons you listen to exposit Scripture, not talk about what is happening in the world and trying to tie it to Scripture. The WORD must always impact how we live, but it must flow from the word to the culture…so we will stay here, but encourage you to make your diet of messages from the internet biblical not cultural.
Meditation: This is chewing on Scripture, thinking about it repeatedly throughout the day and night. It is seeking to apply understand and apply God’s Word all of the time! Write God's Word on a cue card and carry it with you, get a verse that you can think on all day memorized, go out of your way to train your mind to think biblically.
Read: We should read God’s Word, in big pieces and small pieces. Listen to it, while you exercise, or drive, or live. Be in the Word before you are in the culture…and after, so you can wash any wrong way of thinking from clouding your brain. Try to value all of the Bible, and treasure those parts that God has so given to you for your specific moments in life!
Memorize: Make sure you add Scripture verses to your arsenal that you are ready to share with the demonic like Jesus, or with your flesh when it places your rights ahead of others, or with the world when it seeks to distract. The Sword of the Word is best wielded when our minds are sharp and filled with the Bible. Make sure to memorize the verse of the month at CBC….and much more.
Now the more COMPLEX part...
Live: Seek to apply God’s Word to your life every chance you get. Matthew 7:24-27 makes it clear that the difference between security and rest in the storm and chaos is hearing and obeying God’s Word. Choose to live in obedience to what you know, so that the mirror shapes the person, and not something you just quickly look away from.
I suppose that is enough for a blog, but really, knowing all of that is not helpful unless you actually do it. I am more concerned than ever that most Christians are content with their biblical illiteracy, and more concerned about cultural issues. May this never be at CBC. When we talk about sexual purity, gender identity, valuing men and women, raising children, abortion and euthanasia, work, Covid, Family life, parenting, sickness, health, Canucks/Flames, and SO MUCH MORE, may it always be with God’s view, not the worlds, or the traditions we might have come from or are in. God's WORD is right and best ALWAYS!
A disciple of Jesus is driven and defined by their relationship with Him, and it always overflows in the power of the Spirit and impacts HOLINESS, and our passion for TRUTH from God’s Word.
We need to know this and pursue it to survive the storms of the culture, the attacks of the devil and the selfishness of the flesh.
May you intake God’s Word so that you have the strength to live with Him and for Him.
Sunday Is Coming:
We are taking a short break from Revelation for Pentecost, and then a summer series on characters from the OT that can give us hope.
- Why is Pentecost so significant for us as followers of Jesus?
- What does it mean to live in the power of the Spirit?
- How does the Holy Spirit impact your everyday life?
- Read Acts 1:1-8
Share with someone in your sphere of influence why you value the work of the Spirit in your life.
Privileged to serve you, and petitioning you to pray for me,
Pastor Rob
Thank you to all who came to help the church clean up our yard! SO APPRECIATED!
Some Events COMING…
Book Giveaway + New Podcast Episode
In our latest podcast episode, we hosted pastor and author Mark Jones to discuss his recent book, Knowing Sin. Streaming on Spotify, Apple, and Google! Enter our giveaway for a chance to win a signed copy of his books, Knowing Sin or Knowing Christ.
General Business Meeting
Tue. June 14th / 7:00 PM / Sanctuary
We will present the budget for the 2022/23 year and special resolutions to vote in elders, deacons, privacy officer, and Pastor of Families with a Focus on Children.
Baptism Sunday
Sunday, June 26th / During Service
If you would like to be baptized, please talk to one of our pastors or contact the church office.
Sound & Lighting Volunteers Needed
The Worship ministry is looking for volunteers to serve in Sound and Lighting during our Worship Services. Training will be provided. Get involved now.
Spark Studios Summer Camp
July 11th – 15th / 9 AM – 12:30 PM / CBC
Camp registration is now open for all kids going into grades 1 to 6 this September! Register your child today. Volunteers may also apply online.
Kids Camp Needs
We need lots of used, small appliances, radios, computers, or anything that can be taken apart by kids. Please bring them to the church office and please know that these will not be returned! Thanks!
Support for Missionaries in Ukraine
Please prayerfully consider supporting our missionaries in Ukraine and Poland who are meeting Ukrainian refugee needs. Donate here.