Happy Monday to all! Yesterday, we shared in communion and remembered Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for our forgiveness and salvation and His presence with us right now. Then from Genesis 29, we saw how God directed Jacob’s steps to exactly where Jacob needed to be. We also saw how God disciplined and trained Jacob through Jacob’s sufferings, difficulties, and trials. We saw that difficulties, sufferings, and hardships grow us to become more like Jesus. I wish we did not have to go through these sufferings to grow but know that we often grow more in our sufferings than in times of comfort. Also, as my son Nate has been teaching me as he has preached through Job: God will not waste one second of suffering in our lives! God will use every second of our sufferings for His glory and our good. Even though we do not like it much, God uses difficult things in our lives to teach and discipline us. I do not like hardships and difficulties, but I also know that I want to be more like Jesus to show the world how great God is. I do want my life to bring glory to His name.God uses the difficulties of our lives to make us increasingly more like Jesus.
Next Sunday, March 1, after morning worship we will have a potluck luncheon. Bring enough food for your family and a little extra for any guests we might have with us.
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