Sisters and brothers,
Happy Monday to all! Yesterday we celebrated the peace, the shalom, the complete well-being, we have in Jesus. We remembered Jesus’ sacrifice for us on the cross to provide that peace as we took communion together. Then we looked at Joseph, the stepfather of Jesus, from Matthew 1 and 2. We learned there are no words of Joseph recorded in the Bible. Joseph simply listened well to the voice of the Lord and quickly obeyed when God spoke. And it would be my guess that Joseph listened well to others. All of us need to learn from Joseph that we are to listen to God and tune into other people. It is more important to hear from God than it is for Him to hear from us. And when we listen carefully to others as they speak, we can more wisely know how to communicate God’s love to them. Do not be one who simply loves the sound of your own voice. Believers continually seek to hear and heed the corrections of the Lord, the warnings of the Lord, and the direction of the Lord as He speaks to us by His Holy Spirit through God’s Word. Today, as you hear God’s voice, do what He leads you to do.
We will be having a potluck luncheon next Sunday, December 17, after our worship gathering. Bring enough food for your family and maybe a little extra for any guest we might have.
On Christmas Eve and New Years Eve there will be no morning Bible Study. We will start worship on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve at a special time: 10:00 AM.
During the month of December, we will be taking up the Lottie Moon Offering for International Missions. We encourage you to pray and give toward supporting missionaries who takes the good news of Jesus to places that have no or little witness to the saving gospel of Jesus.
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