Happy Monday to all! As we look at Genesis 44, we saw that Joseph’s brothers, who wrongfully sold him into slavery 20 years previously, had become different men who regretted their evil against Joseph and had been changed by the power of God. People can change! We believe the person filled with hatred and violence can become a person filled with love and peace. We believe that God has the power to change any life and anyone can be changed. What a person was does not determine what he or she is today and what he or she will be tomorrow. Those who experience God’s grace and power can be changed from hateful, uncaring, and unforgiving people to loving, caring, and forgiving people. What seems impossible with men is possible with God. God uses the tests of life, the consequences of sin, the emotional toll of regret, the march of time, and every other circumstance to change people. With those who believe, God Spirit continually works in their lives to make them more like Jesus. If you have not believed, life’s struggles point you to a need for forgiveness and life found in Jesus Christ and the need to be changed. If you have not yet received Jesus, believe in Him as Savior and Lord and be changed. He will change you. 2 Corinthians 5:17 reveals, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” God changes selfish and hateful people into people who exhibit the selfless character of Christ Jesus.
For the rest of August, on August 9, 16, 23 and 30, we will meet for worship during our normal Sunday School time at 9:30 AM. Then during our normal 10:45 AM worship time we will meet in the sanctuary to discuss some important issues facing East Madison Baptist Church. We are currently planning two discussion sessions, on August 9 and 16. If we need more time, we can continue the discussions through August 23 and 30. If not, we will just have our regular Sunday School classes at that time. We intend to switch back to the normal Sunday School at 9:30 AM and 10:45 AM worship time again in September.
Yesterday, I announced my retirement effective September 30, 2026. My last Sunday preaching will be August 30. As I told our church family yesterday, it has been one of the great privileges of my life to serve our Lord Jesus along with you as your pastor for almost twelve years. Carla and I love you all. We will pray for our East Madison family, and we ask you to pray for us during this transition.
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