Brothers and sisters,
Happy Monday to all! I am excited today that you and I are part of extending God’s Kingdom. We come into contact daily with those who need the love and life of Jesus, and the forgiveness He offers. Yesterday’s worship time and message reminded us that we have the privilege to share with them that His kingdom has come and they can be part of that kingdom! May God grant to all of us the boldness and wisdom to not miss those opportunities.
We missed those of you who weren’t here yesterday and pray you are doing well. As humans, sometimes sickness, family obligations or just the need for time away means we can’t gather with God’s people on a given week. However, there are some of you haven’t been here in a while and I am concerned for you. The enemy of your soul, the devil, wants you to not be among the people of God. He will try to isolate you. Sometimes the enemy wants you to feel so horrible when you mess up that you just want to avoid God’s people. Don’t let him isolate you! We all blow it and we all mess up and sin. There is God’s promise that “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” God’s people are not a bunch of arrived saints, but a group of struggling pilgrims that need each other to help us keep moving toward becoming like Jesus. We are here to help each other when we are doing good and when we fall. If when you fall, it causes you to avoid God’s people, the enemy has achieved his goal. Don’t let the enemy deceive you and shame you into avoiding God’s people. We need you and you need us!
I want to thank again all those who helped with the Kennedy anniversary celebration and those who helped in the church work day last weekend. You guys and gals are great!
We will have a pot luck dinner after worship next Sunday, September 25. We will be having this dinner upstairs to make it easier for those who have difficulty navigating the stairs.
Email or call me if you need prayer or ministry from me or your East Madison family. We can’t provide that needed prayer or ministry if you don’t let us know you need something.
Love being your pastor!
Bob