Happy Monday to all! We worshiped together yesterday our great, loving, and faithful God. We also, in the songs and Scripture we read, focused on the preciousness of His Word which guides, strengthens, and comforts us. Then we looked at God’s working again in the life of Joseph from Genesis 40, even as Joseph was in prison. We learned that Joseph, like us, had to trust God day by day and step by step. We will not have a laid-out blueprint for us as we follow Jesus. If there were, we would follow the blueprint instead of the One who is the Way, Jesus. We follow Jesus step by step fulfilling whatever task He places before us. We understand that God will put us in the places and relationship He wants us to pursue. While being faithful to each task set before us, we seek to have the heart of our compassionate God for those downcast around us. We trust that God has put us into places where we are already equipped to speak His truth. We remember God’s love and goodness toward us when faced with severe disappointments as we follow Him. Following the Lord requires day by day obedience to the tasks before us.
From Mother’s Day until Father’s Day, we encourage people to pick up a baby bottle and put their change, bills, and checks (make check out to CareNet) in these bottles. Next Sunday on Father’s Day, bring your bottles back to the church and we will return them to CareNet to support their ministry to help pregnant women in our community choose life and help young moms as they raise their children. Thank you for your generosity!
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