Weekly Newsletter Sept. 16

As I read my Bible today, I remembered a classmate I had in school. She and I became friends pretty quickly -- we sat together in several classes, rode the same bus, shared similar interests, and what's more: she was popular. My friend came from a family that did not attend church, but when I invited her to activities she was very interested and wanted to attend with me. Obviously, I was excited too! She and I enjoyed a Sunday School picnic, a few field trips, Christmas bazaars, and the like. Quite naturally, I thought that my friend would want to start attending church and become a Christian. But I discovered she was interested only in the activities. She was not interested in attending church or becoming a member. 

I also learned something about myself. I wanted her to join because of our friendship and because she was popular. Honestly, I wasn't too concerned for her salvation. God knew my heart completely at that time, and it was not right. Both of us had hearts that were not right. What did I have to do? I knew somehow that I had to make my heart right before God.

The Bible gives an answer to that question in a story about a man named Simon, Acts 8:18-23. "When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. Let me have this power, too," he exclaimed, "so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit" But Peter replied, "May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God's gift can be bought! You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God. Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin."

"Pray to the Lord for me," Simon exclaimed, "that these terrible things you've said won't happen to me!" 

Simon didn't realize what he was doing when he tried to purchase the Holy Spirit's power. I didn't quite know what I was doing when I just wanted a popular friend to join me at church. And my friend didn't quite understand that church is much more than a place for fun activities. Peter reminds us all that these are spiritual matters of the heart, and God looks at our heart. It's about friendship with God, first of all. And Jesus brings us into that friendship when we trust him. 

Jesus is always forgiving. We can confess our need for God, and God can and will transform us from the inside out. It's a matter of the heart. 

Heavenly Father, please come into our hearts. Because of Jesus, make them right, and help us to walk in your footsteps daily and do what is pleasing to you. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Blessings,

Lynne Poindexter,
Director of Serving Ministries

We are here to love God and all people so that all people may experience the

life-changing love of Jesus!

LOVE - We meet every weekend to experience God's love for us and show His love for others.

SERVE- We use our abilities, talents, skills, and passions for the good of others.

ENGAGE - We engage with friends to care for one another and to make new friends so they may experience God's kindness too. 

Stephen & Debbie Scholes, from northern England, have served our Lord as missionaries, church planters, evangelists and pastors. Their experiences of the joys and pains of life, of wonderous miracles and the depths of grief, all reveal the amazing and life-changing love of Jesus. Stephen and Debbie will be with us Oct 6-16. Pray that God will use their time with us to inspire and instruct us as we see Greater Things in Jesus' name.