MIDWEEK MESSAGE #160<\/b><\/p>\n
Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #160. Well\u2026with the temps already in the August range, sort of makes ya\u2019 wonder what August will be like. But I\u2019m not complaining. I like it hot. It makes it easier on these old joints. \u263a Anyway, I do hope you have had a good beginning to your summer so far.<\/p>\n
Let me remind you to pray for Ryan White this week. Ryan is the Sheriff of Owen County. Pray for him to be a good leader, a fair one, and a good team leader for the deputies. As you can imagine, his job is not easy. He is married to Karen and they have two sons, Kaden and Kysen, who a-l-w-a-y-s get along. \u263a Last week\u2019s LEO, Caleb Hutchison texted me to tell our church family thanks for praying for him!<\/p>\n
We celebrated Grad Day this past Sunday. All told we celebrated three college graduates.<\/p>\n
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We do pray for God\u2019s blessings upon Abigail, Kelci and Jacob as they continue to follow His path. My prayer for them comes from my favorite chapter in the Bible-Psalm 37: \u201cTrust in the Lord, and do good\u2026Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act.\u201d (Verses 3-5).<\/p>\n
Father\u2019s Day is just around the corner and there are men lined up to speak at each service about the man in the Bible they most admire. Last year I had enough men willing to speak to have one service. This year I am super excited to let you know that I had enough men respond to fill two services!\u00a0 Here are some of the men from the Bible they chose: Cornelius, Daniel, Jonathan, Job, Ananias, Joseph, Solomon, Stephen, Adam, and of course, Jesus. That last one was an expected one for obvious reasons. But\u2026you knew that, right?! Those were names the men gave; not all will be spoken about.<\/p>\n
When I mentioned Serving Owen County Together (SOCT) on Sunday, I said that I would have more information in the MM. We have helped and been involved since its inception 3 years ago. For those who may not have a handle on what SOCT is, here is a short rundown. SOCT involves several different organizations and vendors providing free shoes, socks, clothes, baby supplies, some furniture and a whole lot more! Here are more particulars for you:<\/p>\n
This is a good way to serve the community. This is a big undertaking and we need your help.<\/p>\n
Switching Gears: Several weeks ago Pastor Ryan told us about the sabbatical he, Hope and their children were taking from July 12-August 30. As we was speaking he told us about a Sabbatical Prayer Guide which would soon be available so we would know how to pray for them while they are gone. It was available this past Sunday on the back table, but when I looked there was only one left. Since I know there were many who were not able to be here; forgot to pick one up and remembered when you were outside or on your way home; or had children to corral, I talked with Ryan and he said more will be available this Sunday.<\/p>\n
This past Sunday during my sermon on Bringing the Giant to Its Knees,<\/i> I spoke about worry being a choice and also a liar. It isn\u2019t just a bad habit; it is the enemy\u2019s tactic-a strategy built on lies. Those lies are designed to tear our mind to pieces and to take away our peace and joy. Our immortal enemy (Satan) will stop at nothing to accomplish that. Monday morning I was reading from Anxiety\u2026Knowing God\u2019s Peace, <\/i>the 31 day devotional I recommended to you. On Day 28 the author made a comment about Martin Luther\u2019s song, \u201cA Mighty Fortress Is Our God.\u201d He said, \u201cGod is our fortress; He is a military stronghold-an impenetrable building where we can run and hide. He is our bulwark; He is a stockade-a wall of defense against earthly and spiritual enemies.\u201d (p.79) Later in that same devotion he says, \u201cAnxiety hinders our faith and clouds our focus. It disables us. It doesn\u2019t want us to see the good works of the Lord.\u201d (p.80).<\/p>\n
To go along with that, someone sent me a quote via text this past week: \u201cAppeal to God\u2019s presence when fear begins to overtake you so that the emotion of fear doesn\u2019t become a spirit of fear.\u201d (Quote by Tony Evans)<\/p>\n
My prayer for you this week is that you will know the truth of Psalm 27:1. \u201cThe Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?\u201d (ESV)<\/p>\n
And may you always remember you are loved.<\/p>\n
Pastor Bill<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MIDWEEK MESSAGE #160 Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #160. Well\u2026with the temps already in the August range, sort of makes ya\u2019 wonder what August will be like. But I\u2019m not complaining. I like it hot. It makes it easier on these old joints. \u263a Anyway, I do hope you have had a good beginning … <\/p>\n