Brothers and sisters,
Happy Monday to all! We worshipped Jesus, the Rock of Ages that we can hide in and be completely safe. We thank God that in Christ we have forgiveness and life. Then we looked at 2 Corinthians 7 where Paul is facing a tremendously difficult period in his life. Paul had been arrested, beaten, and jailed while doing ministry in Phillipi. Paul then went to Thessalonica where he had a short but successful ministry but was driven out of town by a violent mob. He then went to Berea where he found a receptive audience to the gospel in the Jewish synagogue. When the hostile crowd from Thessalonica found out he was in Berea, they came and stirred up a crowd against Paul and again drove him out of town. While all this was happening, he was dealing with the troubles in the Corinthian church that were robbing him of his emotional strength. It was during all this that God worked to give Paul relief and comfort from the multiple physical and emotional difficulties he was facing and which he writes about in 2 Corinthians 7. Like Paul, there are times in all our lives that life crashes down on us and we might be on the verge of despair. At those times, we have force ourselves to remember, “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” God will enable us to have the strength to follow Him step by step. Do not look too far ahead but follow Jesus day by day and step by step. Be faithful one step at a time and remember this: After the darkest nights, God brings joy to those who faithfully serve Him.
Good Friday and Easter are a time unbelievers are more open to invitations to Christian worship. Pray about who you might invite to worship and hear about Jesus on Good Friday and Easter.
The annual business meeting of the East Madison Baptist Church will be held on April 13, 2025, following our morning worship.
Remember to keep praying continually for each other. None of us know fully the burdens our brothers and sisters in Christ might be carrying.
Love being your pastor!
Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church