Sisters and brothers,
Happy Monday to all! Yesterday, we worshipped our great God and Savior. We sang about keeping our focus continually on Jesus. Then from 1 Corinthians 9, we thought about motivation for maintaining that focus. What motivates you as you live?Is it ambition, anger, guilt, greed, or comfort? Or is your motivation love for God and those who need to be saved? Motivation comes to us as we realize certain truths. We should be motivated as we understand our duty to our Lord Jesus. We should be motivated as we embrace the mission of seeing people saved. Do we genuinely want to see people saved, to come to know, love, and follow Jesus? Do we believe people outside of Jesus are in eternal danger? Do we believe that the worst thing that can happen to any person is that they never come to know the salvation and love God has for them? Our highest motivation should come as we seek the glory of God and hunger for increasing intimacy with Him. Motivation for serving Christ comes to believers as we grow in love for God and in understanding of His will.
We will be celebrating the Lord’s Supper next Sunday, August 11, 2024, in our morning worship.
On Sunday, August 18, 2024, Mitch Freeman will be teaching our adult and youth Bible study classes and then preaching during our morning worship. Mitch will be teaching and preaching on a Biblical view of mental health. Mitch is the former pastor of East Madison and a great friend to me personally and to this body of believers. Mitch has also made an eternal impact on many of our lives. I am so excited to have him teaching and preaching on this very neglected and important subject.
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