Dear Friends and Family!
We had another wonderful day in the Lord, Sunday! It was wonderful to see Savannah back with us after such a long struggle with her eyes! It was also wonderful to see Julie O. back with us! Has the Spirit prompted you with someone who is missing? Why not send them a postcard or note to let them know you miss them! ‘Heaven knows’ (and He does) how much it means to have someone reach out and really care! (PS – Don’t forget the shut in’s either!)
God’s message came to us from Romans 6:12-23 and was titled, ‘The Road Ahead.’ Last week we examined ‘a new beginning.’ The Wed. Bible Study assumed you prayed to receive Christ last week and provided Scriptural support for all that happened when you did! When you asked Jesus into your heart you were transformed into a new creation! The old? Gone! In its place came a new life which brought peace where there had been guilt, a new family, including new brothers and sisters and a very special Father! But as you’ve heard multiple times, being born again is only the first step on your journey with Christ.
While Paul had already written in c. 3 that everyone had sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (3:23), and that we are all powerless to save ourselves (5:6), yet while we were still sinners Christ died for us (5:8), in our passage this week we discovered Jesus desires us to not only accept Him, but to make a radical shift in whom we pledge allegiance. Instead of being slaves to sin (as we formerly were), believers must ‘offer ourselves to God as those that had been brought from death to life (6:13). There is no middle ground or gray areas!
You see, when the Evil One is in charge – when you are his slave, you will find yourselves obeying his wicked and evil desires (6:16). Sadly, when sin is in charge you’ll find yourself participating in stuff you never thought you were capable of doing… Look, let’s be clear! Satan always takes you further then you intended… Some might say, “It’s just one little lie, or one beer, or one lustful thought, but let’s be clear! When you find yourself rationalizing sin the Evil One has already begun reigning in you!
Instead, reject Satan and be sanctified! When God crucifies the sin nature, Satan no longer has any authority to tell you what to do! Amen? Amen! On the road ahead we need to yield our lives to the Holy Spirit, be sanctified holy, and live our lives as slaves to righteousness. Not because we are under the law, but because we’re under grace (6:14).
Which direction will you choose? You must make a choice! Either you choose to remain slaves to sin (which leads to pain, shame, misery, and ultimately death) or become slaves to Grace and be sanctified (meaning you’ve fully yielded everything to God and asked Him to sanctify you (which leads to life, eternal and abundant life with Jesus and righteousness!)
How will you choose? As you consider be reminded of this warning: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (6:23). I pray you will reject Satan’s ways completely and seek Christ and a life of righteousness, and the joy, peace, and satisfaction yielding to the Holy Spirit provides! Blessings, Pastor Dan
NEWS AND EVENTS
CHURCH WORK DAY IS SAT., AUG. 13 - 9AM to 12PM
Larry B. has called an ‘Official Work Day’ for Sat., Aug. 13! We need folks to help paint and scrape the church and parsonage. So, bring your worst work clothes and we will make look even them worse! (smile). Just kidding! Seriously, we need everyone’s help to make our church owned properties look their best! Got Questions? See Larry B.
OUR NEXT NORTHEAST COMMUNITY POTLUCK IS AUG. 14
Our next Northeast Community Potluck is Aug. 14 after our worship service. So, bring friends, a stranger, and a dish to pass and join us downstairs for a time of food, fun, and fellowship! Willing to help? Bless you! Please let Cherry P. know! (616) 916-7595
OUR NEXT THIRD THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH IS AUG. 18 AT 11:30AM!
Our next Third Thursday Chinese Lunch is Aug. 18 at the Hibachi Grill on Alpine. The food is good, but the fellowship is even better! Come, enjoy a great time to eat, share joys, concerns and even laugh! If you have any questions? See Tracy or Linda!
THE NEXT LADIES RENDEZVOUS IS SAT., AUG. 27 AT 10:30AM!
Cherry is planning the next Ladies Rendezvous for July 23 and all ladies are invited! Please contact Cherry for more info or if you need a ride! Call or text (616) 916-7595.
DOG DAYS OF SUMMER WED. NIGHT STUDY CONTINUES!
Have you ever wanted to examine the basics of your faith or want to freshen or kick start your spiritual life? If so, then you might just be interested in Pastor Dan’s Dog Days of Summer Bible Study Wed. nights. Using the pdf booklet, “First Steps in the Christian Life,” everyone is invited to spend 10 weeks with Pastor Dan examining key concepts and Bible passages every Christian needs to know. Come for one week or all! If you’re interested, curious, or just want to know more, see or contact Pastor Dan
BLESS EVERYONE WHO IS WILLING TO HELP DURING THE SABBATICAL!
By now, everyone knows our church board unanimously approved a 7-week sabbatical to Pastor Dan and Janie beginning Mon. Sept 26 through Sun. Nov. 13. For a month we have asked you to begin praying for Pastor Dan and Janie as they prepare, but also to begin asking God how He wants you to serve!
Well, I’m excited to let you know Mary W. has agreed to run the sound board and powerpoint for Janie and Fran S. has agreed to prepare our weekly bulletin (program) and newsletter for Pastor Dan! Praise the Lord! God is good! All the time! Pray for them!
And yet, how might God be calling the rest of you to serve? Let Gerry, Larry, or Fran (our sabbatical committee) or any of the church board members know where you would like to serve! There is a place for everyone to serve God! Bless you for praying!
WED. NIGHT BIBLE STUDY! COME BE A PART OF IT!
I know you’re busy and I know that you have many things competing for your time all week, including Wed. night. But, I need to tell you as your pastor you need to be part of some mid-week fellowship and study. Our culture is growing increasingly secular and Christians are being beaten down. Who is lifting you up and encouraging you midweek? A ball game? TV show? Doubt it! Wed. night has been the traditional time for a midweek renewal! Come, be a part of it and be blessed (and refreshed!)
COME TO THE FIRE 2016
We have received the following from the Michigan District! Please consider it:
We are excited about this year's theme for Come to the Fire: Restore the Joy
Isaiah 35 describes what will happen when God restores His Church. The once barren landscape will suddenly burst with joy!
"Even the wilderness will rejoice in those days. The desert will blossom with flowers. Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy! The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon, as lovely as Mount Carmel's pastures and the plain of Sharon. There the LORD will display his glory, the splendor of our God" (IS. 35:1, 2 NLT).
We long for the day when God visits His people once again. He will come in response to our prayers, and many of you have been praying. One dear lady said she has been praying and fasting daily sense the last conference in 2014. I am grateful for each of you who have continued to pray. At the set time, He will come!
Recently I was reading some of the many amazing testimonies of transformed lives from previous conferences, and quietly said, "Jesus, You did that!" The Spirit whispered, "I can do even more." Our hearts' cry is for restoration to the body of Christ. Will you pray that the council will have guidance in planning an event in which God will send revival?
"Shout, and be glad, O Daughter of Zion. For I am coming," declares the LORD. (Zechariah 2:10).
Registration will be up soon at cometothefire.org.
Aletha Hinthorn
GATHER BOX TOPS FOR NAZARENE INDIAN MISSIONS!
Thank you to everyone who is collecting Campbell Soup labels and General Mills box tops! While it seems small, the cash they generate really adds up! This program has provided PA equipment, computers, and even a 15-passenger van for Nazarene Sun Valley Indian School. Questions, labels and box tops should go to Fran S. and Sherry J.
CHURCH POSTCARDS ARE AVAILABLE!
Is there someone missing or would like to invite to church? Why not grab a few church postcards and send them out? A simple hand written note blesses everyone! You will find them on the table under the missionary bulletin board in the Annex.
DAILY DEVOTIONS – “REFLECTING GOD” IS AVAILABLE! FREE!!
“Reflecting God” is a daily devotional guide our church makes available free to anyone interested. The devotions provide a brief truth from the Bible every day. Reflecting God also has a section for reading the Bible in a year and praying for our missionaries! Feel free to take one! You’ll find them located on the table outside the sanctuary!
EMOTIONS ANONYMOUS MEETS HERE ON TUESDAY’S AT 7:00PM
Do you often feel nervous, tense, or bored…have trouble sleeping or sleep too much… experience mood swings or feel useless? You’re not alone. At an EA meeting you’ll find others who’ve been where you are and experienced many of the same feelings, but, they found help at an Emotions Anonymous Meeting! Need more info? Look for literature rack in the ‘Community Room’ or call Helen W. (leader) at 616-363-7347.
No comments:
Post a Comment