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| God is always at work in our lives. Even during seasons of adversity, He wants to accomplish something powerful and good. How should this knowledge affect our response? Today's passage teaches us to choose to rejoice during difficult times. This doesn't mean we have to be happy about the hardship itself. Instead, joy comes from drawing close to the Lord and believing steadfastly that through His redemptive power, He is growing and preparing us. If your usual response to trials is anxiety, anger, or depression, the idea of having joy in the midst of a negative situation might not seem logical. However, if you look beneath the surface, you will discover that this biblical directive makes sense for several reasons.
Often, our natural reaction to pain is to run in the opposite direction, and as fast as possible. However, God wants to teach us endurance--much like a long-distance runner builds up strength in training--so that we can fully benefit from what He is doing in our hearts. He uses trials as a refining fire to purify us like gold and bring us to greater spiritual maturity. As we realize that we are actually being made more complete through our adversities, we'll begin to face challenging times with confidence that He always has our best interest in mind.
While a worldly viewpoint sees hope and joy in the midst of dark times as naïve, a spiritual perspective discerns that we're really progressing on a journey toward life at its fullest. We can be filled with supernatural joy, knowing that the Lord is making us into world-changing spiritual warriors.
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Current Sermon Series
As the world grows more connected, our neighbors are closer than ever. You might not share a fence, but you can still share their burdens and joys.
How to Neighbor is a four-week series with a strong push for local missions. Each week focuses on a different aspect of how to build relationships with our neighbors and how to do good in the context of those relationships. The topics covered are "Racism Reconciled," "Orphans Embraced," "Poor Empowered," and "Lonely Loved." We're praying this series will equip you to impact your community for Jesus.
Last Week:
God calls Christians to care for those who are in need, and who needs it more than children? We may not be called to adopt or foster families, but we are called to do something. What is that something? Ask God and when He tells you, say, "Yes!"
Sunday's message is available for streaming or for download on our
sermons page, or by visiting us on iTunes.
Next Week:
As we continue our series on how to neighbor, we will be looking into the Poor Empowered.
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Upcoming Events
August 13, 2016 - Trustee's Meeting at 8:00 AM
August 14, 2016 - Deacon's Meeting at 8:00 AM
August 21, 2016 - Church Outside at the Caldwell's at 11 AM. Carry-in lunch following service as well as games.
August 25, 2016 - Men's Small Group at 7 PM at the church. Please read chapters 8-10.
August 27, 2016 - Back To School Bash at the church from 2PM - 4 PM. There will be homemade ice cream, the slip n' slide, some bouncy houses, and lots more fun! This is for all, but especially the kids!
August 28, 2016 - Lord's Supper and Deacon's Fund Offering following the AM Worship Service
September 4, 2016 - Carry-in Fellowship Dinner
September 5, 2016 - Ladies Small Group at 7 PM at Stephanie Robinson's house
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