Happy Monday, February 20, 2017, church!

Brothers and sisters,

Happy Monday to all! It was great to be with you yesterday as we worshipped together and then shared a meal. We learned that as believers we experience freedom as we walk in forgiveness. Forgiveness is something that God will empower every believer to do. Forgiveness is a requirement for the believer and not an option. Forgiveness is an expectation and not anything extraordinary for followers of Jesus. We also learned that forgiveness is an act of obedience and not an emotion. As we obey God by choosing to forgive, we believe that God will help our emotions follow our obedience. Finally we learned that forgiveness is offered in faith and not capitulation. We do not forgive because what was done to us is okay. We forgive on the same basis that we are forgiven. Jesus, by the shedding of His blood, has paid for the sin of the one who wronged us just as that blood pays the penalty for our sins. Don’t place yourself in the prison of unforgiveness but live in the freedom of forgiveness.

Please keep David Juhlin, Hoyt Lovelace and the other members of their team in prayer as they are on their mission trip. We also thank God for Kelsey Pokrandt’s successful arthroscopic knee surgery this morning. Pete has emailed us an told us that it sounds like the procedure went very well. As of the writing of this email, she is in recovery.

Love being your pastor!

Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church