Brothers and sisters,
Happy Monday and happy Thanksgiving week to all!
Yesterday we worshipped the holy, holy, holy Lamb of God Who is forever worthy to receive glory, honor, wisdom, and power. Also, from God’s Word in Psalm 69 and Romans 1, we learned the importance of cultivating a grateful heart. God created each one of us and provides us with life and everything we need to live. God gives us every single blessing we know or will ever know. And most important of all, God provides forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life by the costly price of the sacrifice of Jesus, the Lamb of God. We were created and then redeemed to know and love God, to live life for His glory, and to give thanks to Him all our days. Knowing this, we seek to cultivate grateful hearts. We seek to focus on the blessings we have been given. We seek not to be distracted by the difficulties of our lives in such a way that we forget the multitude of blessings God has given to us! God is so good and we as His people ought to live lives of continual gratitude toward Him.
In keeping with the theme of Thanksgiving, Bart and Lauren have a nephew, Seph Schleuter, who is a Christian artist with a song, “Counting My Blessings” that you may have heard on the radio. I love the song! Here is a link: https://youtube.com/watch?v=c17u2lkSzEI&si=gOfbKXLtsEu4vEc2.
On Friday, December 8, we will meet at the church building at 6:30 PM and then go out to carol in our neighborhood. Then, we will come back to the building and enjoy treats together. Plan to bring a Christmas treat we can share as we celebrate the season together.
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