Church Blog

Sisters and brothers,

Happy Monday to all! Yesterday, the redeemed of the Lord at East Madison worshiped our great Redeemer. Then from 2 Corinthians 12, we learned that we could trust God whenever He answers any prayer with “no.” Paul prayed for three times that his thorn in the flesh, his tormenting circumstances, would be changed. God’s answer to Paul was “no.” God would not change the tormenting circumstances and He would not remove the thorn in the flesh. Paul learned that God’s grace was more than sufficient to handle his thorn and circumstances. Will we trust God when he says “no” to changing the circumstances of our lives? Will we trust Him when that thing we pray for and believe is God’s will does not happen? Do we believe that God will bring about greater things through His “no” to our prayers and to His continuance of our struggles and difficulties? God promises His all-sufficient grace to help us when He says “no” to our prayers.

On Tuesday, March 12, at 7:00 PM, the Emmaus Bible College choir will be at the East Madison building to share a concert with us. We will be providing a meal for this choir at 5:30 PM before the concert. Invite friends to join you at this concert! Pete is working on a Facebook post that should be up soon. If you see that post, be sure to share it on your news feed.

Do not forget to move your clocks ahead an hour and “spring forward” on Saturday night, March 9, before you go to bed. Daylight Saving time begins next weekend.

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

Brothers and sisters,

Happy Monday to all! As we sang in worship yesterday, we turned our minds to see and praise our great God and to thank Him for Jesus, our Rock and our Redeemer. From Mark 16, we looked at one of the earliest accounts of the resurrection of Jesus. We serve the One who conquered death and rose physically, bodily, and literally from the grave never to die again. We learned that the women who first went to the tomb were unsure about how they would move the heavy stone that sealed the tomb. When they got there, their problem was solved because the stone had been rolled away. These women who witnessed the crucifixion, observed the burial, prepared and bought spices to anoint the body of Jesus, were the first witnesses of the empty tomb. They heard the angel’s testimony that the Crucified One was now the Risen One, and these women were the first to be given a commission to go and tell. They had come to the tomb with a problem, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” They were filled with care and anxiety over that problem. But God Himself had already solved that problem by moving the stone out of the way. The stone was rolled back not to let Jesus out but to enable all to see the grave was empty and Jesus had conquered death. There is an old spiritual that says:

Got any rivers you think are uncrossable,
God any mountains you can’t tunnel through,
God specializes in things called impossible,
And He can do what no other God can do.

What uncrossable rivers are in your life today? What are the mountains through which you cannot tunnel? Even in the river of death, Jesus has shown that He has already crossed that river and those who trust in Him will cross that river to heavenly life and be with Jesus forever. On that first Easter morning, these women discovered something all of us need to discover: The resurrection of Jesus makes all our worries and anxieties unnecessary!

On March 12 at 7:00 PM, the Emmaus Bible College choir will be at the East Madison building to share a concert with us. We will be providing a meal for this choir at 5:30 PM before the concert. Invite some friends to join you at this concert!

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

Sisters and brothers,

Happy Monday to all! Yesterday we worshipped our wonderful, merciful Savior and thanked Him for giving His life on the cross so we could be forgiven and have the life of God. We looked at Mark 15 about the dark times the early followers of Jesus went through when Jesus was crucified. Even though Jesus had told them He would rise from the grave, they did not comprehend that truth. The political messiah they expected was not the Messiah Jesus had come to be. And so, these early followers went through a time of deepest darkness. We learned how God was helping them come to a fuller and truer faith in Jesus through those darkest of times. In those dark times, God uses the timid and those thought to be weakest. We saw how God humbles those who are proud and strong in those darkest of times. We also saw that though God humbles them, He searches for those He humbles to restore them to Himself. We saw the need to always remember that God moves to help His children trust Him when the darkest of times descend on us.

Remember to keep Mike Skille and Donald Smith in your prayers. Mike is still going through some exceedingly challenging times. Last week was a particularly hard week for him. Donald began chemotherapy treatments last week. His first treatment went well, and the aftereffects so far have not been severe. He will have these treatments weekly for a while. We love you brothers, and we are praying for each of you and your families.

Next Sunday, February 25, 2024, we will have a potluck luncheon after our worship gathering. Bring enough food to feed your family and a little extra for any guests we might have.

We have two Bible studies for adults Sunday mornings at 9:30 and Bible studies for children and youth during this time. Jason is teaching through the book of Revelation and David is teaching in John. Deanna, Grace, and MaryAnn are teaching our children about the life of Jesus from near His death on the cross through His resurrection. There is something wonderful about studying God’s Word together. We encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities if you are able.

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

Brothers and sisters,

Happy Monday to all! As we worshiped and fellowshipped together and learned more about how deep the Father’s love for us truly is, I realized how much being part of the family of God means to me. You all are so encouraging! If you miss being physically present with the family of God regularly and you could be here, you are missing so many of God’s greatest blessings! Do not let Satan rob you of the joy of being vitally connected to God’s family. Do not be a distant relative.

We examined God’s Word from Mark 15. We saw on the cross, Jesus was coronated as King Jesus. Jesus has always been and forever will be King of kings and Lord of lords, but the cross was a kind of coronation for Him. Yes, this was a coronation of a vastly different kind taking place on that Good Friday. In complete humility Jesus died in our place and took the punishment we deserved because our sins placed Him on that cross. Jesus could have come down from the cross and saved Himself, but then we could not have been saved. The King and Lord of all the universe, before which every knee will bow and tongue confess that He alone is Lord, was dying for His subjects, for all who will believe. Jesus was coronated as Savior, King, and Lord by the soldiers preparing Him for crucifixion, by those who orchestrated and ordered His crucifixion, by nature itself, and by His cry of being forsaken while on the cross. Jesus was coronated as King even as the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And Jesus was coronated as King by the Roman centurion in charge of the crucifixion who confessed, “Truly this man was the Son of God.” Jesus in complete humility received His coronation from the Father as Savior, King, and Lord.

Next Sunday, February 18, 2024, we will celebrate the Lord’s Supper in our morning worship.

Pray for the Smith family as Donald begins a new round of chemotherapy on Friday. We love you, Smith family, and we are praying for you.

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

Sisters and brothers,

Happy Monday to all! As we met yesterday, we sought to look with the eyes of faith and behold our great God. Then from Mark 15, we looked at Pilate’s decision to condemn and crucify Jesus. Pilate did not do what was right because he was protecting his position of power and because of his fear of public opinion. However, God worked even through Pilate’s human weaknesses to bring about His redemptive purposes. We learned that we all face decisions every day and some of them are life-altering decisions. As believers, we need to seek to know God, His ways, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, do right and leave the consequences to God. However, we live in a world where people make bad and evil decision all the time. When people constantly choose evil, we often can become very discouraged. In those times we need to remember this: God is sovereign, and He is in control. God uses the animosity of sinful and hate-filled people to achieve His redemptive purposes. God uses skepticism, doubt, and curiosity of sinful people for His purposes. God uses the sinful weaknesses of people for His redemptive purposes. Do not be like Pilate and want so much for your decisions to be affirmed that you chose what is popular instead of what is right. However, never forget this eternal truth: God brings about His redemptive purposes in the world even through weak and cowardly people.No matter how weak we are, no matter what power evil people seem to possess right now, and no matter how grave the circumstances seem to be, Jesus is Lord and He reigns over the universe. Evil will ultimately be destroyed! I hope the link to the Keith and Kristin Getty song will remind you of this: Jesus Shall Reign (Official Lyric Video) – Keith & Kristyn Getty (youtube.com).

Next Sunday afternoon, February 11, at 4:00 PM, we will gather for a game night and spend some time together. Bring some food, snacks, and your favorite games to share and let us enjoy some time together.

We need more volunteers to house 14 students from Emmaus Bible College choir if we are going to host them. We are looking at March 8, 11, or 12 to have the choir sing here and host these students. Contact me today or tomorrow, at the latest, if you know you can help. Thanks to those who have told me already how they can help.

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

Brothers and sisters,

Happy Monday to all and “Happy birthday” to my big brother Jack! It was wonderful to worship our great God together yesterday. I want to thank Nathan Pokrandt for stepping in to lead us in worship while others were out of town. He did an excellent job! From Mark 14, we looked at one trial of Jesus and contrasted that with the informal trial of Peter. We learned that Jesus in our world is often on trial because men and women must decide what they believe about Him. However, really Jesus is not on trial at all. Those who are deciding about Jesus are on trial. What will we decide about Jesus? What we decide about Jesus determines our eternal destiny. Also, as believers in Jesus, you and I live in the world and we are often on trial to see if we will confess Jesus when it is easy and when it is hard, or whether we will deny Jesus. Jesus was silent and let His Father be His defender when falsely accused. When confronted with truth Jesus embraced it. When the time came to speak, Jesus spoke truth boldly and without fear of His enemies. In contrast to Jesus, when confronted with truth, Peter denied it. Believers, like Peter, who trust in their own strength fail the Lord with cowardice and denial. Believers can, in the power of the Holy Spirit alone, courageously stand for Jesus in face of corruption, anger, hatred, and injustice.

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

Happy Monday to all! Yesterday, we worshiped our merciful and gracious God who has forgiven our sins and made us His children. Because we love the One who first loved us, we seek to live always for His glory. We know that even though sometimes we fail to do that, we can be secure in His love and keeping of us. From Mark 14, we learned that Jesus prepared for the trial of the cross through watching, praying, and walking with His Father. We learned that Jesus wants us to prepare for trials that same way. It is not a call to worry continually if we might fail. It is a call to keep watching, praying, and walking moment by moment with God so we will be true and faithful. Disciples who depend on their own natural abilities, willpower, and strength will fail Jesus in times of trials. However, disciples who heed the warnings of Jesus to prepare for life’s test and trials can walk in victory. Disciples can be prepared for the testing of faith by watching, praying, and walking moment by moment with God. Christ’s followers get ready for times of trial through continual preparation, practice, and daily seeking God’s presence and power.

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

Brothers and sisters,

Happy Monday to all! Yesterday we worshiped our great God and Savior as we sang about His greatness and read from His perfect Word. We then learned from Mark 14 about the Lord’s introducing His Supper to His church that would observe it until He comes back. Then we observed the Lord’s Supper. The observance of the Lord’s Supper shows the fulfillment of the old covenant and the inaugurating of the new covenant through the blood of Christ. It reminds us to continually remembers Jesus. It proclaims the death of Christ for the forgiveness of sin. It provides a sense of special communion with Jesus. Also, it symbolizes the oneness of God’s people and our need for one another. The Lord’s Supper regularly reminds us that Jesus has provided everything we need for eternal forgiveness, eternal life, and eternal community. James Brooks wrote, “Those who eat the broken bread indicate their desire to have fellowship with Jesus and his other disciples. Those who consume the cup indicate their commitment to the new covenant.”

We will have a potluck luncheon following morning worship next Sunday, January 21, 2024. Bring enough food for your family and a little extra for any guest who might come.

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

Sisters and brothers,

Happy Monday to all and Happy New Year! We gathered yesterday and joyfully praised our great God and Savior. From Mark 14, we learned people ultimately will either adore Jesus in worship or reject His gift of salvation in disdain. No one can remain neutral about Jesus forever. As individuals listen to His Word and learn increasingly of the gift of salvation offered to them, they will respond in two ways. They will either come to receive, embrace, and grow in His undeserved love and grace. Or they will respond by rejecting or simply ignoring His grace, thinking they do not want or need Him. If they reject Jesus, then they will ultimately grow in hostility to Jesus. Will be you like the religious leaders and Judas Iscariot and have open or secret disdain for Jesus and the need for forgiveness and salvation through His blood, His cross, and His resurrection? Or will you, like Mary of Bethany, respond to His love by receiving, believing, and then seeking to lavishly love and worship Jesus? Which choice will yours?

We will observe the Lord’s Supper during our worship gathering next Sunday, January 14, 2024.

Remember to keep praying continually for each other. I was reminded again yesterday, when someone shared a prayer concern with me, that 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

Brothers and sisters,

Happy Monday to all! Yesterday’s advent theme was joy and we worshipped with joy! The Lord Jesus has come and will come again! The message centered in looking at those who had seen the Lord Jesus when He came to earth. We learned that all who believe will see salvation face to face because salvation is Jesus. We will see Jesus. We will be in His presence forever. We will not see some religion that delivered to us a way of salvation. We will not see one who gave us four steps to salvation. We will see the One Mary, Joseph, and Simeon saw and held. We will see the One the shepherds and the wise men saw and worshipped. We will see the One John saw and baptized and testified to as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. We will see the One the thief on the cross saw, the One who on the day of the thief’s death took him to paradise. We will see the One the apostles and early believers saw dying, rising again and ascending to heaven. We will see the One we have not yet seen but know now. Yes, we shall see Jesus as He is and, on that day, will be made perfectly like Him in His character and live with Him forever. We will see the One we have yearned to see since we received the forgiveness He purchased for us with His blood. We will see the One we have trusted with our lives, the One who saved us and made us His children! Yes, we will behold our Lord Jesus face to face!

On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Even there will be no morning Bible Study. We will start worship on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve at a special time: 10:00 AM.

During the month of December, we will be taking up the Lottie Moon Offering for International Missions. We encourage you to pray and give toward supporting missionaries who takes the good news of Jesus to places that have no or little witness to the saving gospel of Jesus. If you write a check for the Lottie Moon Offering, make it out to East Madison and use the Lottie Moon envelope.

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