17 May Quick updates and some repeats
Happy Wednesday y’all!
Before this week gets away from us…let’s make sure we’re lined up for the things God has in store…
- Zoom Bible Study Catch-up – Catching up from Sunday’s Teaching… 1 Peter 3:8-22
Friday – May 19, 2023 @ 1:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting — https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83586782734 — Meeting ID: 835 8678 2734
- Morning Tea this Sunday…always a great week to invite a friend to join you!
- Repeating the earlier invitation…Over June, July, & August we’ll be using the book of Exodus as our basis for the preaching & teaching in worship. As part of this series, the Worship Team would like to incorporate stories from Living Water’s Senior Saints in worship…in that space where we often include a “Children’s Message,” we’d substitute a “Stories of Promise” from some of you. We believe our generations have much to learn from one another. It’d be something like a one-on-one interview where a volunteer Senior Saint would answer a couple of “starter” questions like (What’s one promise of God you’ve seen fulfilled in your lifetime? What a promise of God you’d like to see fulfilled before this life ends for you?) and then one or two specific questions related to that day’s theme. We’d always give you the questions in advance so you have time to pray about your answers…and maybe even practice with the “interviewer” for that day.
So…you’re invited. Talk to Philippa or me over the next week or two & we’ll start working out the details.
The only requirements…well…you need to be willing to have some fun with this as you share how God’s promises are being kept in your life…AND…well…you need to be older than me by a bit. We’re really wanting our Senior Saints to have a chance to share & declare God’s faithfulness in their lives over time…Psalm 107:43 (NLT) “Those who are wise will take all this to heart; they will see in our history the faithful love of the Lord.”
- June GBO – Sunday 4th June is our Biggest Morning Tea where we focus our Giving Beyond Ourselves toward the Cancer Council. This is usually our largest GBO of the year. It’s also our most wonderfully tasty morning tea. I’m asking God for BIG things!
- Living Water’s 10th Birthday…Sunday June 25th. God’s incredible goodness & persistent grace is the focus that morning as well as some important planning & praying toward the next 10 years. Don’t miss it; and if you’ve got some ideas about the 20th birthday…and what happens between now and then…let’s talk about it.
A few thoughts from my daily devotions…I’ve just finished reading Romans.
Romans 8 begins with this awesome reminder: So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 8:1 – Because we are united to Christ by baptism into his death & resurrection, and because we have been made right with God, reconciled to him, through Christ…God’s wrath & the just punishment of death for our sin has been fully absorbed into Christ & we no longer stand before God afraid of judgment. We are his beloved sons and daughters only for Christ’s sake. There is no condemnation for all who are in Christ!
But wait there’s more! 8:2 says – And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. The grace that saves us is not only pardon it is also power & frees us from the bondage to sin. We can, in Christ, experience victory over our sinful selves. We will always struggle against the power of sin, but in Christ it does not have to always get the upper hand. 8:12-13 is even more specific and robust: Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, we have no obligation to live according to the flesh (we don’t have to give into our sinful desires urges or inclinations) For if you according to the dictates of the flesh, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live.
On behalf of the finished completed work of Christ on the cross who is now risen from the dead, we do not have to yield or surrender to the desires of our sinful selves, our emotions, feelings, or inclinations. Because Christ has triumphed over sin, death, the devil & the powers of this world (including my & your sinful selves) we are able to say “No” to that which is solely & fully of the flesh. When you “count your many blessings,” be sure to count that one & live it to the fullest. You are no longer a slave to the desires or tendencies or habits or inclinations that Scripture clearly warns against or that simply have seized control of your life. The Son has made you free. You are free indeed!
God bless you into this week with that perfect freedom!
John
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