Church family,
In reading through 1 Thessalonians this week, I have been praying through Paul’s words in v. 9-10, “ For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come(1 Thess. 1:9-10, ESV).”
I have been thinking about what kind of “report” I am to the world around me, or my family, or all of us at Emmanuel. I hope that I/we represent that we have life given to us by the living and true God, and not dead things( or idols) that are worthy of judgment. For me, I think about all of these things that grab at my heart that are dead–some examples are money, anxiety, and the approval of man. Why do I hold onto these dead things instead of leaning on the true living God who is alive as He was raised from the dead?
What are the dead things that contaminate the report of your life?
Also, I think about the link between this and Paul’s words in the next chapter as he talks about not witnessing with “words of flattery” (2:5). We don’t need our reports to have such because we are attached to the living God. We don’t need perfume to make our corpse smell better, because we are not a corpse!This is an encouraging thought because we are making much of God as we grow in becoming more like Christ. We do such by trusting in a God who is alive (and we are alive). Words I need to hear in the midst of a hard and exhausting week.
News and Notes
*** I am entering into the next step for the credentialing process with the EFCA. I will be heading before a panel of ordained EFCA pastors on May 13 between 10AM-1PM at Emmanuel. Pray for me as the panel will seek to ensure that I can communicate and defend well the tenets of the EFCA statement of faith. If all goes well, I will be licensed, and then, I will have the opportunity to become ordained after three years.***
****Thankful for the hands that went into a special Easter service a few weeks ago. A delight to see a lot of new faces, and to worship together through breakfast, discussion, baptism, music, and the Bible. Jesus was on display, and rejoiced in. ****
****Also, thankful for the folks who helped with our Overflow lock-in. Had a great group of kids, and a lot fun. Had fun triumphing in Lord of the Rings RISK at 5 in the morning, while also, I believe that you haven’t really lived until you play glow in the dark wiffle ball with twenty- something people. Just. my. opinion. *****
***JAM is going roller skating this Friday. Meet up at the church at 6:00 PM. Questions contact Darrel or Leesa Boyer.***
***We have four kids who are heading to Challenge this summer. They will need some help to go. In the month of May, we will be “renting” them out for odd-jobs (babysitting, mowing, etc.), and the money they make would go towards the trip. More details to come on this, and other ways you can help. ***
***Mark your calendars for VBS on July 14-18th. It will be Go Fish “Shine,” with more details about registration to come.
God is doing awesome things,
Jeff
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