A Ministry Opportunity

The Wood family has a new "normal" at home, due to Andrew's leukemia. As a class, we have an opportunity to serve by bringing in some of the items they will now be needing a lot of. If you plan on contributing, please bring items tomorrow, June 30th. Here is a list of needed items:

-Lysol wipes
-Paper towels
-Bleach
-Face Masks (like you use when you have a cold)
-Sterile Gloves (the kind the doctor uses)

Thank you and please give as God leads you!

Hopeless to Hopeful

“There is hope in your future, says the Lord.” Jeremiah 31:17, NKJV

 In Christ there is hope; outside of Christ there is no hope. Those focused on heaven find hope; those focused on earth find hope illusive. A life lived by faith is hopeful, but a life lived in fear is hopeless. Hope is not just the outcome of an optimist, it is the fruit of those whose security is in their Savior Jesus Christ. Moreover, money messes with the mind as it demands full allegiance to the almighty dollar in exchange for a false hope.

However, we discover authentic hope and freedom in our submission to Christ as Lord and Master of our fate. Deep abiding hope is not a strategy, but a reality when we bow in reverent obedience to God. He does not tease His children with pseudo promises. On the contrary, our heavenly Father gave what was most precious to Him, His Son, so we could become sons and daughters of the most High. Indeed, hope is a gift from God.

“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:32

Where is the root of your hope grounded? In your job or Jesus? With friends or faith? In your home or heaven? In earthly riches or the riches of God’s grace? Satan cannot steal the seed of hope when you plant it in the soil of Scripture. Your hope in Christ is not conditional to circumstances; rather it thrives on trust when assaulted by ambiguity. You move from hopelessness to hopefulness when what matters most, matters the most.

Therefore, be hopeful as a child of God. Your hope in Christ is an advertisement for the Almighty. Those with no hope are attracted to the genuine hope in your heart. Indeed, you are hopeful, because of the origin of your optimism, and the greater purpose of your hope is to bring hope to the hopeless. Suicide shrivels with the prospect of hope. Faith comes alive in Christ and His loving acceptance. Praise the Lord that your hope is alive!

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Peter 1:3

                                                                                                       -Excerpt from Boyd Bailey

Strength to the Weak

God is our strength. We go to Him in prayer and are renewed. We read His Word and we are reminded that we are never alone.

Update on Faith

Faith is staying at Wolfson's overnight because she was a little sick. Please pray that she will be able to come home soon and her recovery will be quick. She would love visitors and her family will let us know what we, as a class, can do to minister to them.

Fish Fry

If you're planning on going to the Fish Fry on the 23rd, please remember to bring lawn chairs, beach towels, and a two-liter. See you then!

An Update On Faith

            God is great! As you know, Randy and Corina's daughter, Faith, had brain surgery yesterday. The surgery went well. She is in the PICU area and can have visitors. Faith will be in the hospital for the rest of the week. It has been a tough ride for them and they will need continued prayer and support, but let's all also thank God for giving them the strength and love they needed, for giving the doctors the ability to perform the surgery, and for giving all of us an amazing display of His awesome power. Isn't it comforting  to know that, in the midst of life, no matter what's going on, God's got it?

Disciple, A List

A Disciple:

-A disciple doubts.
-A disciple deceives.
-A disciple denies.
-A disciple forgets.
-A disciple fears.
-A disciple changes lives.
-A disciple is arrogant.
-A disciple denies himself.
-A disciple believes Jesus is Savior.
-A disciple heals.
-A disciple leads.
-A disciple hides.
-A disciple is human.
-A disciple loves.
-A disciple protects.
-A disciple is radical.
-A disciple is lost.
-A disciple is healed.
-A disciple leaves his life.
-A disciple cuts off his ears.
-A disciple follows Christ.
-A disciple gives his life for others.
-A disciple dies for faith.
-A disciple sins.
-A disciple is called to be a disciple.
-A disciple falls away from Christ.
-A disciple gets in the grill of others.
-A disciple has little faith.
-A disciple has no attachment to men.
-A disciple has no attachment to religion.
-A disciple will write.
-A disciple will teach.
-A disciple will lie.
-A disciple will tell the truth.
-A disciple forgives.
-A disciple asks for forgiveness.
-A disciple rants.
-A disciple travels.
-A disciple fasts.
-A disciple questions.
-A disciple hopes.
-A disciple gets angry.
-A disciple does not worry.
-A disciple worries.
-A disciple likes money.
-A disciple doesn't worry about money.
-A disciple has friends.
-A disciple has a church.
-A disciple gives up.

                                  -J.R. Mahon "Starving Jesus" (This list is developed mainly based on Matt., Mark, Luke, and John)