Happy Monday to all! Yesterday as we worshipped, our hearts were “filled with a thousand songs proclaiming the glories of Calvary.” As we looked at Paul writing of all his experiences and struggles as he served Christ from 2 Corinthians 11, we saw him boasting about what God was doing in all his struggles. We saw the difference between wrong boasting and right boasting. We asked ourselves, “What are we boasting about today?” Are we like a self-deluded eleven-year-old who thinks he is one of the great three? Are we impressed by the famous people of the world who have done nothing? Do we boast in abusive and self-promoting leaders who promote themselves and seek others to follow them instead of seeking for people to follow Jesus? Do we boast about our ancestry, pedigrees, and lineages? Or do we boast correctly in the grace and power of God as He reveals Himself though our struggles and weaknesses? We might impress people through our wrong boasting, but we bring no glory to God and do not impress Him. What should we truly boast about as we live? We are to boast in the grace and power of Almighty God as He reveals Himself through weak people like us.
During the weeks between Mothers’ Day and Fathers’ Day, we will be passing out baby bottles for us to collect offerings for the CareNet Pregnancy Center of Dane County and the wonderful work they do in saving lives and helping women and families. Take a bottle and fill it with an offering to be brought back on Fathers’ Day.
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