Brothers and sisters,
Happy Monday to all! Yesterday we worshipped our Lord and confessed that Jesus is our Rock and our Redeemer. Jesus is the one we can and should build our lives upon. Then we looked at John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life,” and once again remembered thatGod’s love for us gives hope to us in 2025. God loves the world and each of us individually. God did not just say He loved us, but God proved His love by giving Jesus to die for us on the cross. Jesus’ death and resurrection provides forgiveness and eternal life to those who will believe. Any person, without exception, any “whoever,” who believes in Jesus will not perish, but will be given the eternal life of forever communion and fellowship with God and His children. Have you found this hope today in Jesus? Have you come to trust in, believe in Him? Is there anything holding you back from believing in Him today? In the horrific circumstances of your life, will you look to Jesus’ dying on the cross for you and know that proves God’s love for you no matter how terrible life’s current circumstances are? Will you find rest and find hope today in this truth: “God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life?”
The New Year provides a fantastic opportunity for you to join one of our small group Bible studies that meet on Sunday mornings at 9:30 AM. We provide studies for all ages. For adults, we provide two different studies. David Juhlin is just beginning a new study that reviews the Bible in chronological order. This study reviews timelines, family trees, etc. to help make sense of all the stories and other information. This study helps us see how all the Old Testament points to Jesus in the New Testament. Jason Donaldson is finishing a study of Revelation by the end of January and then will move to some single unit studies for a brief time. After that, Jason thinks that his group will be studying Ecclesiastes from the Old Testament.
Please remember to pray for the Donald Smith family. Donald, Deanna, and family, you are loved and continually being prayed for in these difficult days.
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