In reading through Matthew, I recently read through Jesus’ rebuke of Peter and his misappropriation of the word Christ. Jesus is a Christ that is to suffer and die, and then, rise on the third day.
Jesus’ response, in speaking to Peter, says “ get behind me Satan,” and this seems to be an overreaction. However, Jesus is so earnest because there is so much within our fallen humanity to seek to brush so hard against the will of God. Jesus tells Peter a few words later, “ you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
The profound thing about grace, and God’s gift of his righteousness, is that it is precisely that, a gift. A gift of something that He accomplished. As humans, we have a perpetual habit of bending God’s will to ours by trying to convince ourselves that we are really not that bad (irreligion), or that we can really do something about it (religion).
All the things that hinder a celebration of God’s gift is, to put it bluntly, Satanic. A trace of what got us in this mess in the first place, in listening to the whispers of the Serpent, the whisper that says set your mind on the things of man, instead of on the things of God. Try to bend God’s will to yours, instead of the opposite.
I sense such a burden in protecting the gospel, of grace, and the work of Christ, in our formation of our children, and our discipleship as a whole. I want to leave you with how Evie’s bible ends, “ for anyone who will just reach out to take it, then God will give them the wonderful gift” to be God’s children. There is a burden, or an urgency, but all we have to do is reach out and take the gift daily and tell others around us to do the same. In doing so, we acquiesce to God’s will, surrendering our minds to the things of God.
-Praise God for kids reaching out and taking the gift of God’s provision of forgiveness of sins and new life after JAM’s trip up to Iowa’s Winter Blast. The task now is to get them to day by day walk with God knowing God’s grace. There will be another Ignite group (small group) with a group of 6th grade JAM boys that I will be leading.
Also, we will be having a foundation class time for the three Ignite groups from 5:30-6:00 before JAM. It will be called Christianity Explored, and will be lead by our three Ignite leaders: myself, Tom, and Becky. It should be a good time to understand basics, and ask questions.
If you are interested in joining an Ignite group, or leading a group, contact me.
-JAM is having a Family Game Night on Friday, March 21st. For more details contact Darrel and Leesa Boyer.
-Overflow will be having a lockin on Friday April 25th-Saturday April 26th (date has changed). An evening of dodge ball, glow-in-dark wiffle ball, lip-sync, improv, movies, video games, etc. More details to come. If interested in helping contact myself or Al & Rebecca Gaus.
-Also, Overflow has a bible study that meets at 3:30 on Fridays. We are studying Romans. Anybody in high school is welcome to come! Contact me for more info.
– There will be youth-led service, called “Zoe,” which is greek for “life,” at 8:00 before the normal service at 10:15 on Easter with a breakfast following. The youth will lead us in worship as we sing, and have short devotion and discussion. Join us! You won’t need your morning coffee!
-Seedling is having An End of the Year Party on Wednesday April 30th. We are going to have BBQ, play some wiffle ball, and lots more. Parents are encouraged to come.
– Normal meetings for
Seedling, Wednesday 3/19 6:00-7:30
Overflow/JAM, Wednesday 3/12 6:00-8:00 PM
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