Church Blog

Brothers and sisters,

Happy Monday to all! Yesterday as we began our celebration of Advent, we worshiped the Son who was born, the child who was given, who is our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. The message, also from Isaiah 9, reminded us that we have hope in Christ even in the darkest times of life. Into the midst of deep, deep darkness, a Son is given! Do you need hope today? Do you need to regain a desire for something good in the future, and a biblical hope that is a confident expectation of that? Jesus is that hope. Christ Jesus is that hope for you if you are looking for hope in life. Believers have trusted Jesus with their lives. Jesus is the One who died in our place so we could be forgiven and rose again to give us forever life. Jesus is the Hope of the world. Every one of us needs to ask ourselves, “Is Jesus the Hope of my life?” Jesus can be, and oh, how He wants to be our hope! Is there some hopeless situation or problem that we see no answer or solution? Jesus wants to give hope in whatever that problem might be. Jesus wants us to know He can work in any situation and bring good out of bad. We can trust Him today no matter what we are going through. Jesus is God’s forever King who rules the world in righteousness and gives hope. No matter how dark it gets, in Jesus there is hope. Hold on to the hope of Jesus!

This Friday night, December 12, at 6:30 PM, we will have our EMBC Christmas party. All are invited to bring a Christmas dessert or treat, some games, and spend Friday evening together. We also have invited Pastor Koua and any from Madison Hmong Baptist Church to join us as we fellowship.

During the month of December, we will be taking up the Lottie Moon Offering for International Missions. There are prayer guides and offering envelopes for this offering that support missionaries taking the gospel around the world. All the money given in this offering goes directly to spreading the gospel around the world. Make your checks out to East Madison and put in in those special envelopes and it will go toward this offering.

Remember to keep praying continually for each other. None of us know fully the burdens our brothers and sisters in Christ might be carrying.

Love being your pastor!

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church

Sisters and brothers,

Happy Monday to all! Yesterday, we worshiped and remembered the Lord as our true Shepherd. We looked at Psalm 107 and those who experienced some exceedingly difficult things in their lives. Sometimes those difficulties were because of life’s circumstances and sometimes those difficulties happened as a direct result of their sinful choices. However, whatever the cause of the difficulties, life’s circumstances caused them to cry to the Lord and He redeemed and rescued them. This Psalm teaches us that all the afflictions that we experience work for good if they cause us to turn and believe in the Lord. It is better to be afflicted and turn to the Lord than be prosperous and comfortable and be without Him. Because this is true, let us “give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! ²Let (us who are) the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble ³and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south,” (Psalm 107:1-3). As Charles Spureon said, “Our Redeemer is so glorious, the ransom price so immense, and the redemption so complete, that we are under sevenfold obligations to give thanks unto the Lord, and to exhort others to do so.” Believers continually give thanks for God’s greatest gift to them of redemption.

On Friday night, December 12, at 6:30 PM, we will have our EMBC Christmas party. All are invited to bring a Christmas dessert or treat and some games and spend the evening together. We want to invite Pastor Koua and any from Madison Hmong Baptist Church to join us as we fellowship.

Remember to keep praying continually for each other. None of us know fully the burdens our brothers and sisters in Christ might be carrying.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Love being your pastor!

Brothers and sisters,

Happy Monday to all! It was wonderful to worship and celebrate God’s goodness to us as His family at East Madison. In the message, we looked at Genesis 24 and saw Abraham planning and preparing future generations for God’s work among them. Abraham assigned his chief and most trusted servant the task of finding a godly wife for Isaac. God led this servant to just the right wife for Isaac. Abraham was seeking to prepare the next generation for God’s mission and purposes in the world. We also are to look to the future and prepare the next generation to be on mission with God in expanding His kingdom to the ends of the earth. Are we looking to plan and work so future generation might know and follow Jesus? Are we investing in the future expansion of the Kingdom of God by investing our lives in our children and others? We can do this by seeking God’s direction in making correct decisions for the future.. We can also do this by prioritizing preparing for future kingdom expansion. Believers look and work toward God’s Kingdom expanding and increasing with every generation.

The EMBC Thanksgiving feast was fantastic last night! I am so grateful that members of the Madison Hmong Baptist Church that meet in the EMBC building on Sunday afternoon were able to join us. We heard wonderful stories of how some came to believe and follow Jesus. We had others share about wonderful blessings they were grateful for during this time of thanksgiving. And of course, the food was fabulous!

Remember to keep praying continually for each other. None of us know fully the burdens our brothers and sisters in Christ might be carrying.

Love being your pastor!

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church

Sisters and brothers,

Happy Monday to all! It was wonderful to worship with God’s people and share in taking the Lord’s Supper together. It reminds us that we are one body in Christ because of the sacrifice of Jesus. We belong to him and each other. The message from Genesis 23 reminded us that the promises of God are not exhausted in this lifetime. Sarah, Abraham’s wife died and Abraham mourned for her. Abraham needed a burial site for Sarah and his family. Since God had promised his descendants the land, Abraham wanted a family burial plot in the land of Canaan to bury Sarah. It was an act of faith to buy land to bury Sarah. The passage taught us that God’s people will suffer loss before receiving the fulness of God’s promises. However, we also saw that God’s people act in faith believing God will completely fulfill every promise, evidenced by the fact that Abraham bought this burial plot in Canaan. In Abraham’s buying this land we see an act of faith that teaches us that God’s promises are not exhausted in this lifetime.

Here is a link to the worship song I mentioned in the message. The song, “Is He Worthy?’ is by Andrew Peterson and Ben Shive. It is a favorite of mine these days. https://youtu.be/OIahc83Kvp4

Next Sunday evening, November 16, at 6:00 PM is our annual EMBC Thanksgiving celebration. A sign-up sheet is on the table in the foyer for the food needed for this celebration. I hope you plan to join us for this wonderful time of thanksgiving.

Remember to keep praying continually for each other. None of us know fully the burdens our brothers and sisters in Christ might be carrying.

Love being your pastor!

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church

Brothers and sisters,

Happy Monday to all! Yesterday, we proclaimed the praises of our glorious God. We worshiped the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. We looked at Genesis 22 and the testing of Abraham to see if he loved the gift God had given him, Isaac, more than God who had given him the gift of Isaac. Abraham passed this test. Issac, also in his submission to Abraham, also passed this test. However, the great lesson of the sacrifice of Isaac is not Abraham’s love for God, but God’s supreme love for Abraham and us. God offered His Son, and the Son, like Isaac, willingly submitted to being offered. God stayed Abraham’s hand and would not permit him to sacrifice Isaac as a burnt offering. However, God did not stay His own hand when Jesus, His only Son, was dying for the sins of the world. God the Father poured out on His Son His wrath that sinful men and women deserve. Jesus become our substitute, our guilt offering. Jesus was the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” What God stopped Abraham from doing, offering Isaac as an offering, God did for us Himself in giving Jesus to die for us. You can trust your life and all your treasures to the God who gave His Son for us. God loves you more than anyone else could love you. If you treasure those you love, you can trust them to God by remembering He loves them more than you do. God Himself is the treasure above all treasures, the pearl of great price, the One who gave His greatest treasure for you. Trust Him with your life and with your treasures today.

We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper next Sunday, November 9, during the morning worship gathering.

Sunday evening, November 16, at 6:00 PM is our annual EMBC Thanksgiving celebration. A sign-up sheet is on the table in the foyer for the food needed for this celebration.

Remember to keep praying continually for each other. None of us know fully the burdens our brothers and sisters in Christ might be carrying.

Love being your pastor!

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church

Sisters and brothers,

Happy Monday to all! Yesterday, we worshiped our God as the loving creator, sustainer, and redeemer of the universe. Then from Genesis 21, we thought about the peace treaty between Abraham and Abimelech. We see that God wants His children to seek to live in peace with those around them. Believers are to seek to make that happen. We are to be peacemakers! Oftentimes today, though, we, by wrong attitudes, hypocrisy, harsh words, and hatefulness, are people who destroy peace. By not being people who display the fruit of God’s Spirit-love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control-we create conflict. We heed to heed the words of Proverbs 15:1, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”  Yes, we must speak the truth, but speak it with gentleness, respect, and love. Those who disagree with us morally or politically are not to be seen as unreasonable enemies, but as human being created in the image of God that need Christ. We are to love them and, in gentleness and respect, relate to them. Christians are not to live in hostility to those who disagree with us, even if they live in hostility to us. Believers need to push for gentleness, reasonableness, and peace. As God grants that to us, we need to thank and worship our eternal God who brings this about.God works among His people to seek peaceful existence with others.

Sunday evening, November 16, at 6:00 PM is our annual EMBC Thanksgiving celebration. A sign-up sheet is on the table in the foyer for the food needed for this celebration.

Remember to keep praying continually for each other. None of us know fully the burdens our brothers and sisters in Christ might be carrying.

Love being your pastor!

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church

Brothers and sisters,

Happy Monday to all! Yesterday as we worshiped, we praised our unchangeable God who continually gives us hope. As we looked at Genesis 21, we were reminded that God always keeps, secures, and confirms His promises. Abraham and Sarah had waited for more than 25 years for God to give them a son. When Sarah was naturally past the ability to conceive, God supernaturally enabled her to conceive and bear Abraham a son whom they named Isaac. Twenty-five years is a long time to wait! I do not know of anyone who likes to wait, especially if the wait is months, years, or even decades. However, as we wait, remember that God will keep His Word and His promises. They will not fail! Remember this and wait for the Lord who will not fail you. Keaton Bunting and Bob Kauflin wrote a song based on Psalm 62 called “My Soul Will Wait.” The first verse and the chorus say this:

When the enemy surrounds and my heart grows faint within
When the darkness overwhelms and my fears are pressing in
I will trust in You, O Lord, in the silence I will wait
I will stand upon Your Word

You’re my solid rock and my salvation
My steadfast hope that won’t be shaken
My soul will wait, my soul will wait for You.

We can absolutely depend on God’s promises and His Word. We can be certain God brings about every detail of His promises. God moves even in our difficulties when we tend to forget to remind us of His promises.God never fails to keep and secure His promises.

This Saturday, October 25, we will have our annual Trunk or Treat community outreach from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. We need people here by 2:00 PM so we can set up. You can prepare by bringing candy to the church building or just bringing candy for your trunk on Saturday. Pray God would use this event to glorify Himself and to bear a caring witness and ministry to our community.

Sunday evening, November 16, at 6:00 PM is our annual EMBC Thanksgiving celebration. A sign-up sheet is on the table in the foyer for the food needed for this celebration.

Remember to keep praying continually for each other. None of us know fully the burdens our brothers and sisters in Christ might be carrying.

Love being your pastor!

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church

Sisters and brothers,

Happy Monday to all! Last night, we and our Hmong brothers and sisters had a wonderful time of fellowship around the fire pit. Yesterday morning, we worshipped God and asked His Holy Spirit to help us see Christ. Then, from Genesis 20 we saw that even though Abraham made a faithless and foolish decision to deceive Abimelech and the Gerarites, God worked to protect Abimelech and the Gerarites, Abraham, and Sarah from the consequences of that decision. God worked to protect His promise that through Abraham’s descendants Jesus the Messiah would be born to bless the entire world. We learned even in our faithlessness we cannot thwart the plans of God. We do not have that power. Even in our great weakness, even when we act faithless and sinful, God is working to see His promises and Word are fulfilled. We saw that God moves to protect His Word and His promises from the sins of His people. We saw that God moves to provide correction to His children through unlikely sources. And we saw that God moves in lives to correct wrongs and provide reconciliation between peoples. God promises cannot fail. God moves in power bring about the promises of His Word.

On Saturday, October 25, we will have our annual Trunk or Treat community outreach from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. You can prepare for that by bringing candy to the church building. Pray God would use this event to glorify Himself and to bear a caring witness and ministry to our community.

Remember to keep praying continually for each other. None of us know fully the burdens our brothers and sisters in Christ might be carrying.

Love being your pastor!

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church

Brothers and sisters,

Happy Monday to all! Yesterday, we looked from Genesis 19 at God’s righteous judgment of the grievous evils that occurred in Sodom and Gomorrah. These warnings from Scripture are difficult. However, they remind us that God is always just, and He will one day completely destroy all evil. The catastrophic judgments of the worldwide flood in the time of Noah, where only Noah and his family were saved, and the fiery judgment of wickedness in Genisis 19 of Sodom and Gomorrah, where Lot and his daughters were saved, serve as a permanent reminder to us of this: God will ultimately destroy and punish all evil. Today, God gives us a chance to turn from ourselves and our sin and receive forgiveness and life in Jesus. In Christ Jesus, God’s wrath was completely satisfied with Jesus’ death on the cross. The fire of God’s wrath against sin has been burnt out in Jesus. The place of safety is where the wrath of God against sin has already burned. That place of safety is in Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says this: “God made him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him (Jesus) we might become the righteousness of God.”  When we are in Jesus, God’s wrath has been satisfied. However, all outside of Jesus, remain under God righteous wrath. Will you believe in Jesus and accept that He has already been punished in your place?Or would you rather have your sin than the forgiveness and life God offers you today? God will destroy all evil and bring punishment on those who would rather have their sin than the forgiveness and life of God.

As many of you know, Connie is in physical rehabilitation waiting to find a place to move to that provides an elevated level of care. Connie needs help to move her stuff out of her apartment by October 12. Connie’s daughte asked me to see if we could have some people help with this task. She does not have a firm date set to do this. I wanted to give all of you a heads up so we could find some people to help them when they need this done.

On October 12 instead of having a potluck luncheon after worship, we will have a celebration of the garage cleaning at 6:00 PM. We will have a fire pit and meet on the lawn. You can bring hot dogs and/or stuff for smores for your family.

On Saturday, October 25, we will have our annual Trunk or Treat community outreach from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. You can prepare for that by bringing candy to the church building. Pray God would use this event to glorify Himself and to bear a caring witness and ministry to our community.

Remember to keep praying continually for each other. None of us know fully the burdens our brothers and sisters in Christ might be carrying.

Love being your pastor!

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church

Sisters and brothers,

Happy Monday to all! Yesterday we gathered to worship God as His family and joined with all the angels of heaven to praise Almighty God. Then from Genesis 18 and Abraham’s prayer for God’s justice in Sodom, we saw how we can pray boldly relying on God’s character and justice. We cannot be specific when tragedies occur, and it seems like innocent people suffer. We can ask questions about those things and receive partial answers. We can even ask God those questions. God invited Abraham to do just that. However, complete satisfactory answers to those questions of suffering in the world will not come in this life. But we can know that God is a just God and He will always act in perfect justice. God invited Abraham to friendship and intimacy with Himself and God also does that for all who will believe in Jesus. Like Abraham, we can also boldly take our prayers, questions, and petitions to God Himself. We can pray boldly because the Lord invites us to do just that. We can pray boldly based on the perfect justice of the Lord. We can pray boldly because God has no pleasure in the death and judgment of the wicked. We can pray boldly with assurance that God will hear and answer our prayers perfectly.Believers boldly intercede for those around as we understand the justice and mercy of holy God.

We will observe the Lord’s Supper in our worship gathering next Sunday morning, October 5.

On October 12 instead of having a potluck luncheon after worship, we will have a celebration of the garage cleaning at 6:00 PM. We will have a fire pit and meet on the lawn. You can bring hot dogs and/or stuff for smores.

On Saturday, October 25, we will have our annual Trunk or Treat community outreach from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. You can prepare for that by bringing candy to the church building. Pray God would use this event to glorify Himself and to bear a caring witness and ministry to our community.

Remember to keep praying continually for each other. None of us know fully the burdens our brothers and sisters in Christ might be carrying.

Love being your pastor!

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church