Summer is almost gone, and it is unbelievable how fast it flew by. I hope you had a great summer, filled with fun activities, spending time with family and enjoying God’s creative beauty in our world. Now, as fall is soon upon us, we will see the process of change in creation, with the colors of the leaves and the cool, brisk air.
Change is a part of the Christian faith to be sure.
In II Corinthians 5:17, the apostle Paul tells us: “If anyone is in Christ, he or she is a new creation. The old has departed, the new has come!” God loves us unconditionally, and accepts us, but He does not want us to stay the same. His desire for us is to keep changing into the likeness of His Son, Jesus Christ. The question is, how do I do that? Let me encourage you in a couple of adjustments in our lives that may help us keep growing in our faith:
- Stay on the journey of a deeper prayer life. By that I mean take time every day to spend a few minutes in prayer with the Lord. This means listening as well as talking to Him. A relationship with anyone cannot be one-sided. There must be talking as well as listening.
- Read a chapter a day in God’s Word. Begin with the Gospel of John. Combine reading your chapter with your prayer time.
- Spend time with God’s people. Being together as the body of Christ, whether it be in a Bible study, worship each Sunday, or being together in homes together for fellowship; this is where we are encouraged and strengthened as we build each other up, pray for one another and fellowship together.
4. Exercise your faith. Show kindness to someone. Encourage someone with a phone call. Pray for someone who is in need. Spread your joy to all you meet. Visit folks in the nursing home or hospital. Of course, there are all kinds of opportunities at church also.
Live out your faith and practice in action what you believe in your heart.
God bless you and stay in touch with all that’s going on at the churches on the website, the newsletter, the bulletin and Facebook. If I can be of any help to you, please do not hesitate to call on me.
Your friend in Christ,
Pastor Rob