Weekly Newsletter Jan. 20
God Is the Greater Creator
God Renews Us
Even in difficult times … — No. Let me say it more forcefully: Especially in difficult times, God works in and through us to experience greater things. He's the greater creator! Here's one example:
Imagine the apostle Paul. Once a murderer of people who believed Jesus died and rose from the dead. After seeing Jesus in person, Paul believed. Years later Paul himself is chained and in prison because of his faith. Yet through the pain, Paul continued to give thanks to God for all circumstances. And so can we. I imagine Paul sitting on the rock-hard floor of a jail cell, cold, maybe even with rodents crawling around him in search of anything to eat. I also imagine Paul reciting Psalms that he learned as a boy. Maybe he recited this one from Psalm 68.
Rise up, O God, and scatter your enemies.
Let those who hate God run for their lives.
Blow them away like smoke.
Melt them like wax in a fire.
Let the wicked perish in the presence of God.
But let the godly rejoice.
Let them be glad in God’s presence.
Let them be filled with joy.
Sing praises to God and to his name!
Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds.
His name is the Lord—
rejoice in his presence!
Father to the fatherless, defender of widows—
this is God, whose dwelling is holy.
God places the lonely in families;
he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy.
But he makes the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
Paul surrendered his life and experiences to God, gave thanks, and rejoiced in God's greater work finished in Jesus, our Savior.
Try this alone or with your family: Draw a line down the center of a blank piece of paper. On the left side, write what you experienced today. Good and bad. Happy and sad. Easy and difficult. Then, across from each event, write, “Thank you, God!” God renews us every day when we trust and follow him. Give thanks to the Lord!
God, our Heavenly Father, we need your hope. We need your peace. We need your power in our lives. In all of today's events, we say, "Thank you, God!" Thank you for loving us. Thank you for leading us. Thank you for providing for us. Now strengthen us to do for others as you have done for us, in Jesus' powerful and Holy name. Amen. Let it be so!
Roger Frederick
Lead Pastor
Don't let another season go by feeling without financial peace. Click the image to connect Darren today.
Pastor Roger says, "I don't know what in the world they'll do, but if you're there, it's sure to be fun!"
Share Good News! Heal all kinds of disease and illness (Matthew 4:23). Find purpose by serving God with your abilities and passions. Talk with Pastor Vaughn or click to email Linda Horan for more information.
Join Joyce Maack at Elsmere Campus Sunday Mornings with genuine friends and experience God's greater love. Click to email Lisa Kelly with questions.
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