God is Present

Hello all,

I want to extend a personal invitation to you to join the start of our adult 301 class tomorrow morning at 9:00. The 301 class is called “Discovering My Ministry” and has three goals :

1. to help you discover your unique design (shape) for ministry,
2. to help you grow in your commitment to using the God-given gifts and abilities you have for serving God and for serving others,
3. to help you select ministry at Emmanuel that best expresses what God made you to be !

If you haven’t been through the 301 class, it’s a strategically important class in the adult series we offer at Emmanuel. It could be strategically important in your life ! You will be encouraged and freed up for more fulfilling ministry !

Don’t forget that the Romans class for adults, and classes and activities for young people are also available at 9:00.

During our 10:15 worship, we will consider the fifth of the Lord’s five victory commands. “Be of good cheer ….” This Sunday’s command (and promise) will come from Acts 23:11, the only one of the five victory commands Christ gave after his resurrection.

God is Present

I was encouraged this past week by these three thoughts about what to do when it feels like God isn’t present :

1. Remember that he has promised he will always be present.

Reflect and meditate upon passages such as Isaiah 41:10 ; Matthew 1:23 ; Matthew 28:20 ; John 14:16 ; and Hebrews 13:5.

2. Consider that God often seems more present to us when we are involved in giving to others (doing his work).

Of particular interest is God’s instruction to Moses in Exodus 3. God, from the burning bush, sends Moses back to Egypt to deliver the people from Pharaoh. What a terrifying and perhaps lonely challenge ! Yet, the promise God gave that accompanied the command to go was, “I will be with you” (Exodus 3:12).

3. Remember that there is no correlation between life’s hardships and God’s presence.

Even when life seems to be going badly, he is present with those who love him. Case in point : Joseph. Even when Joseph was being tricked by his boss’s wife, or forgotten by those he had helped, the recurring theme of Joseph’s story is “The Lord was with Joseph” (Genesis 39:2, 21, 23).

One of the five victory commands we covered this spring was “Take courage (be of good cheer) ; it is I.” We will experience victory as we live in the truth that God is always near.

See you tomorrow !