calvary updates 4/17
- George Winfrey
- Apr 17
- 3 min read
We don't get to know that do we? If life has brought to you numerous challenges, you may have already learned and practiced too often what may be a faith compromising response? Is your faith being challenged with great uncertainties over what is coming next? Is your focus on the circumstance or a belief in an all powerful God? Is the circumstance over shadowing your ability to trust God? This is the wrong perspective! Your focus is all on the circumstance(s). Is not God bigger than any surprise that comes into view? Circumstances are never to define the believer in Jesus Christ. And God, in love, will continue to challenge this response until we learn "a more excellent way" (I Corinthians 12:31).
Proverbs 16:9 says, We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps (NLT). Yes, you may choose the road you take to reach a destination, but only "the Lord determines" the individual steps or what comes into view around the next bend. So what I am seeking to learn is to respond to life's surprises with a faith that still believes the following: 1) That God is good. Psalm 23:6 says, Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life..." 2) No unexpected circumstance can snatch me out of God's hand. John 10: 27My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all ; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.
In complete transparency, I do struggle to have a proper faith response, to life's surprises. You and I have two response options: faith or fear. So how do you learn a faith response? With practice, and practice comes in the trenches of life's trials. The more we respond in faith, the less fear gets to own the moment. A starting point for me is to believe that no matter how difficult the circumstance, on the other side of it, God intends to reveal to me more of his character and his provisions. As I discover more of his character and experience his provisions in new challenges my faith is only strengthened to trust him more. What is God doing? He is retraining my responses and "...showing me a more excellent way" ( I Corinthians 12:31). Keep trusting God and keep learning from a teacher who only wants what's our best!
Sunday April 19th
Come worship the Lord with us at 10:30 AM. Ken Wagner will bring a unique dive into the Word of God in our worship time. Our Sunday School begins at 9:30 AM...in the first class we are exploring the book of Judges. In the other class, we are looking at the later part of the book of Daniel. Enjoy some coffee, a donut and fellowship with some new friends at 9:15 AM.
A Song you will hear again this Sunday
Matt Maher and "Leaning."
Women's Flourish Tuesday the 21st 10-12 noon
Prayer Wednesday, April 22nd 5:30 PM
RHMA conference. Attend the public worship services each night April 20-22, 6:30 PM Grace Church in Morton.
Special Training Session: April 29th 6:30-7:30 PM. Empower, Equip and Engage
Men's Breakfast Saturday May 2nd at 8:30 AM
How about some coffee and Scripture this week? :) Today's readings were: Leviticus 21, Ecclesiastes 4, Psalms 26,27 and 1Timothy 6. If you are looking for a different reading plan, you might enjoy:
From last week's Sunday School lesson, do you remember how many soldiers God said Gideon needed to be successful in battle? He greatly reduced the size of Gideon's army.
In Jesus joy,
Pastor Frank Winfrey
cell: 309-645-9621
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