Martha and I want to thank you for our time to be away. We are enjoying the rest and already looking forward to returning in August.
Several people have written to encourage me and to remind me how blessed we are to have pastors we can count on to preach and to do congregational care during this time. I agree and thank God for them. I also thank God for you who minister year round in your Bible Fellowship Groups and in the congregation and community at large.
Though I am not present, worship and Bible study will continue wonderfully at FBC. You will be blessed to hear Bill Boren, Clif Smith, and Jay Johnston preach this month. Please continue to open your hearts to God as you study the Scripture together.
During the month of July, Dr. Jeff Griffin, professor at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, will lead Bible studies each Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM. Jeff is an excellent teacher with a heart for ministry. Please join him each Wednesday.
In August I will begin a new sermon series on forgiveness entitled “Forgiving and Letting Go.” Do you face anything more difficult than letting go of the past hurts you have experienced? Of all the things I see people struggle with, forgiveness, letting go, and moving forward with freedom stand near the top of the list.
You can do without many things in life, but it is difficult to live well without forgiveness. I hope you will invite your friends and family to join with you as we hear God’s Word about forgiveness.
May God bless His church.
If you would like to receive my daily posts, you can subscribe at the top of the page. It’s easy and it’s free.
I would also appreciate your sending this to others as well. Waylonbailey.com is my ministry across the Internet. Thank you for reading and sharing.
One Response
Thankfulness, as in the case of Jeremiah in his confession, is something that comes with experience.
Forgiveness, in the context of “Blessed are you when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake,” is difficult for another to instruct without determining Truth. Such experience defines relationship and purpose, as from the Cross there was Forgiveness: understanding His Purpose. One who is not within the context, who sees brethren refusing to be reconciled (it has the merits of a contract) and maintains distance: offerings for clarity are dust in the wind. There are times when shaking the dust off is not appropriate; rather, it is necessary to put on the whole armor of God and Stand, after having done all. Poison comes from “Dogs” and “Swine,” Matthew 7:6. Pruning is from the Master. It is interesting how noble perspectives shift with territorial concerns.
It is all God’s; Stewardship is required of His. Matthew 10:36 “And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.” (family) Ps 41:9 John 13:18. These issues are seldom addressed, “truth” becomes a byword, sadly the quest for Truth abandoned. Further context is found in this instruction to His Disciples, “Fear them not therefore: for there is noting covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.” Matthew 10:26
The actions of Love in Christ are not lost. Thank you. Thankful to God for His presence in your leadership. Looking forward to your insights.
Blessings