As we go through our current “Adopted!” message series, some could be tempted to think that they can’t experience a right relationship
with their heavenly Father because they didn’t have a good relationship with their earthly father. But our earthly relationships never need define our heavenly ones. Check out this excellent counsel from David Powlison on the subject, “What if my father didn’t love me?”
A fuller treatment of the subject (as well as many other helpful topics) can be found in his wonderful book Seeing With New Eyes, and is worth your read as well…
The week before last, we sang an Isaac Watt’s hymn, “How Sweet and Aweful”. The first lines read, “How sweet and aweful is the place, with Christ within the doors.” Watts is speaking of the spiritual nourishment and divine glory present when the church gathers. Aweful here simply meaning “full of awe”. However, given most of us think of alternate meanings when we hear the word “aweful” (awfully close to awful), we changed the wording to awe-filled.
That’s just a small tidbit to get you interested. The larger song is actually a celebration of electing grace and a plea for God to continue opening more hearts to the gospel. Verse 2 provides a helpful perspective for my soul anytime I’m enjoying worshiping the Savior.
While all our hearts and all our songs
Join to admire the feast
Each of us cry with thankful tongues,
“Lord, why was I a guest?”
Every time I sing or hear those lines, my heart is humbled because I’m reminded that I have no hope apart from my Father’s saving intervention. What do I have that I have not received? May they remind us this week to never take a moment of corporate worship for granted.
The new children’s ministry wing is completed. The cross is standing tall outside the front of the building. The kitchen has doubled in size. The seminar room has expanded to hold 50% more people. Storage space has more than doubled. The parking is scheduled to be paved next month. Well, I guess we are not quite finished but we are 95% there.
Expanded foyer Children’s Ministry Wing
God has been so good in providing all that we need, when we needed it. Every classroom is being used, the seminar room already has events scheduled in it, and the various ministry teams and events are filling up our extra storage space. The reason God has given us a building is to fill it and use it and as I look at all that is happening we are being faithful to do just that.
Expanded Kitchen Expanded Kitchen View 2
God’s provision through your faithful giving has provided for the initial cost for this expansion. When we first sought God on whether we should move forward on this project we were overwhelmed by the finances that came in and the pledges that this church made. We continue to trust in the provision of our father to take care of the rest as we now look to paying off the loan and seeking God for further needs that we have!
Expanded Seminar Room
I was copied on this note to Gene and thought he might not be the only one encouraged by how God is helping us apply the teaching from the “Adopted!” message series.
“Hi Gene,
I thought you might be encouraged about how God allowed me to apply your message so quickly this week.
Each time I have gone for back injections it has taken the nurses multiple times to get the IV needles to go in correctly so that I can receive the medication during the procedure. This time was no different.
I caught myself on their second try praying, “Dear Lord, have mercy on me a sinner” but then because of yesterday’s message I quickly added “Oh, Lord, and I am your child, please show me your kindness as a Father”.
I was so thankful for that change in perspective - and that the nurse was able to get it on the second try and didn’t need to have the doctor come and get it - which happened last time!
Thanks so much for faithfully preparing and hearing God’s heart for His Church!”
Do you have an encouraging report to pass along? We’d love to hear more about what God is doing!
Well, it’s begun; and perhaps a little early. March Madness.
No, not basketball.
Moving.
This week, the church plant passes a big milestone as the very first family relocates from KingsWay to Fredericksburg. My mother and father-in-law (Jerry and Connie) are packing the truck on Saturday and heading north.
More moves are ahead for us, but there is only one “first”!
We all have such mixed emotions: anticipation for what God is doing, excitement for the future, gratitude that He is going with us; but also gratefulness for KingsWay, joy in the friendships here, sorrow at leaving. What a ride! I guess that’s why it’s called “madness”!
In this week’s message, entitled “The Ultimate Security”, we examined Romans 8:14-17a. We saw in God’s Word how adoption moves us from fear to assurance; assurance found in God’s providential blessing, divine confidence, and eternal security. In order to better know the security of our adoption, let us consider these questions:
- “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) When you are facing a trial, why is this promise better than a promise for any particular outcome?
- How do you find security when you cannot see the good that God is doing in your circumstances?
- Which tends to be your primary identity, “a sinner” or “a child of God”?
- “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect?” (Romans 8:33) How do these words strengthen your identity as a son or daughter of God?
- “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” (Romans 8:35) How does this description of the love of Christ connect with eternal security?
- How does eternal security affect the way that you face difficult circumstances and relational challenges?
In the days ahead, may the love of the Father bring us great security in every moment and situation.
Check out this video by John Piper, where he addresses the believer’s response to the current economic downturn. It has a very similar feel to our current “Adopted!” message series, and I trust will be an encouragement to your soul!
One of CNN’s lead stories today was “Heading to Church for Money Advice“, an article about a growing number of churches offering Financial Peace University and other money management courses and workshops.
Curious about how they covered the news? Click the CNN logo for the story.
Curious about the affect the Financial Peace course is having here? Ask someone in your community group what they are learning and seeking to apply. Want to share your own experience? Let us know how God is using it in your life or marriage!
Visioneering is the “engineering of a vision”. What’s the vision God has given you? How do you follow God in carrying out the vision? In Visioneering, Andy Stanley answers these questions in a simple, Biblical manner.
Sounds like a book for “leaders”, doesn’t it? Well, it is; but it’s not limited to them. Visioneering is for anyone who want to discover and pursue the purpose God has for their lives. It’s impacted me in every role I have: pastor, dad, husband, and man.
Are you a mom? A daughter? A co-worker? A boss? Have you considered the vision God has for you in that role?
Visioneering will help you do just that.
Ladies, please plan to join us on March 6 & 7 for a women’s weekend seminar with Carolyn McCulley, author of Radical Womanhood.
As we walk through the circumstances 
and relationships of daily life, it is so important to know who God has called us to be. To understand this we need to step away from stereotypes, and even our preconceived notions, and look to Scripture. That is what the Radical Womanhood weekend seminar is about. The main goal of the weekend will be to answer this question, “What is biblical womanhood?” because the answer to this question can make all the difference in how you live.
Click here to see a brief video about the book. To find out more about the weekend or to register click on the radical womanhood image.
