calvary updates 1/09

What are you building?

Are you looking to add to your schedule the practice and study of a discipline which you want to pursue in the new year? Peter, in his second letter, calls believers to build up their faith by adding virtuous practices. 2 Peter 2: 5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. These "qualities" as Peter calls them are essential to maintaining and building up our faith. Goodness comes from the character of Jesus himself, who now lives in us who have trusted him as our Savior. Goodness is also listed as one of the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5. After goodness, Peter says we need knowledge. Knowledge would come through personal study or instruction. Paul saw this wisdom as important for spiritual growth as well. Ephesians 1:17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that you would be intentional to take the steps necessary to build and deepen your faith this new year. And where you recognize shortcomings, confess that to the Lord, seek out assistance to grow and get others to pray for you in this pursuit.

What to expect Sunday.

In our 10:30 AM worship time I will bring a message exploring a few of the qualities that Jesus taught were critical for building our faith. We will look at Matthew 7 and our title is, "What are You Building?" Two offerings for Sunday School begin at 9:30 AM... One on our Old Testament history and the other on Daniel. Arrive a little early and get a good cup of coffee and a donut at 9:15 AM.

A song to listen to before Sunday: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7lv9oMjv_0&list=RDi7lv9oMjv_0&start_radio=1

Women's Flourish Tuesday 1/13 & 1/27 10 AM-12 noon

Prayer Wednesday 1/14, 1/21 & 1/28 5:30 PM

Men's Breakfast Saturday, February 7th 8:30 AM

In February: a special valentine meal to be announced soon.

Grab a handout this Sunday, if you did not get one, to read through the Bible in the year.

Today's readings were all in chapter 9. The books were Genesis, Ezra, Matthew and Acts. If you are looking for a reading plan, go to:

Dwell — Audio Bible App

https://dwellapp.iorg

Note: last week's Trivia answer was "Zoe." A girl's name that comes from the Greek word for life. Trivia this week: In Matthew 7 we are warned about making wrong judgments. Jesus said we can easily see specks of debris or "sawdust" in our neighbor's eye but fail to see a ______________ in our own eye. Also, why is it so easy to see the faults in others and not our own?

Happy New Year,

Pastor Frank Winfrey

cell:309-645-9621