Happy Monday to all! It was great to be together yesterday and worship our conquering Savior. As we looked at the temptations of Jesus we saw Him as the One who conquered every temptation. The temptations of Jesus were recorded not so much as an example for us in how to deal with temptations, though the passages about Jesus’ temptations do that. The passages were recorded primarily so we could see Jesus as victor over every temptation! He fully conquered the devil in the temptations we thought about and in every temptation He faced throughout His earthly life. It is about Jesus as the One who conquered Satan in every way and provides us with a just means of forgiveness. It is about Jesus who is able to help us in our weakness. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin. 16Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need,” (Hebrews 4:15-16, NIV). Jesus won victory over every temptation, and then completely conquered death! We won’t win every battle over temptation like He did, but we can have victory over many temptations by His Spirit and His Word. And we have One who loves us and helps us even when we fail! What a glorious and merciful Savior we serve!
We still have prayer guides at the church building for anyone who wants them for the “40 Days of Prayer” emphasis. It is never too late to start!
On Sunday morning, February 3, at 9:30 AM, the second half of the short-term DVD Bible Study, “The Clash of Kingdoms” will begin. Damon and Megan are leading this study for older youth and adults. This would be a perfect time to join a small group Bible study, especially if you are not currently involved in small group Bible study. The study will last approximately five weeks. You do not have to have participated in the first half to be part of this study.
We will be having the Lord’s Supper during our morning worship this Sunday, January 20th. The following week on January 27, we will have a pot luck luncheon after worship.
We found a volunteer to help us with making sure the bathrooms are stocked with supplies and ready weekly for our Sunday services. Thank you, Lois! We still need someone to make sure the trash is at the curb to be picked up on Monday morning, or someone to remind the pastor to do this. (I don’t mind doing this and think of it almost every Sunday before worship, but by the time worship is over, I have forgotten and the trash is not taken to the curb!) If this is an area in which you would like to serve, please let me know.
Love being your pastor!
Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church