Week of 8/10/25 and Labor Day Details
Dear Church Family,
My family and I missed being with you all this last Sunday, but we were thankful to praise the Lord and reflect on things that he has taught each of us in the last several months. In the midst of the business, whether it's just the stuff of life or whether it's what we would call 'ministry', what is the Lord teaching you? Have you stopped lately to consider what prayers he has answered, or perhaps where you should redirect your prayers for growth and knowing Him in your life circumstances?
Psalm 46:10 instructs, “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
How much more in the hearts of his blood-bought children should he be exalted!
Home Enjoyment
Peter Engdahl taught this last Sunday on Peace with God. I would encourage you to go watch/listen to it if you were unable like us to gather on Sunday. It is an excellent explanation of how our works do not save us, but how they show our faith, and ultimately point us to glorify God.
Many christians often struggle with understanding how our failures and works play out in our ongoing relationship with God after salvation. Does my struggle with sin make God not love me, or is God more likely to keep me if I do more good? These show a human perspective of God and our response to him, rather than the beautiful truths of God's faithfulness shown in scripture and his work in helping those that are his children to grow in his likeness.
If you are vacillating between trusting in God's promise to you through Jesus or trusting in your works, that is a scary place to be. Peter concluded with a helpful analogy of two couples...
One couple is married and because of that promise divorce is not an option. They know that despite their failures there is a level of commitment and trust that even in the darkest moments leads to peace, knowing that forgiveness will be given and camaraderie will be sought. That promise motivates them to respond to one another with grace and service.
The other couple doesn't want divorce, but hasn't taken it off the table. The 'promise' is just the best they can do. They try to do what's good for the other when they can, but when they mess up they wonder if it's ever enough or wonder what it will take in order for things not to end or fall apart. That leads to fear and performance and keeping record of wrongs and 'peace' only when you are keeping up.
Read 1 John 4:7-18.
How does this passage help you understand how Jesus' love motivates your works?
What does it say about fear? What is the root of fear in a relationship?
How has Jesus dealt with that?
Are you walking in peace with God or fear?
What would the Lord say to you through his Word?
Coming Up
August 31 we will be out at Kidder Creek Camp for the Sunday service, which will start at 10am. Please bring a lawn chair and plan a few extra minutes for parking. A shuttle will be available for elderly in need. If you are interested in being baptized please reach out to me soon so we can prepare for that. There will be BBQ lunch available for $7/person or $28/max per family. Please sign up in the foyer or let the church office know how many will be eating there so we have a headcount. The pond area, pickleball, basketball courts and sports fields will all be open until 3:30pm. Laser tag($10) and horseback rides($30) will be available on a first come/first serve basis and each lasts an hour. It is a wonderful time of fellowship with our church and the Weed and Scott Valley Berean churches!
I am looking forward to seeing you all this coming Sunday and finishing 1 Samuel!
In Christ,
Pastor Phillip
My family and I missed being with you all this last Sunday, but we were thankful to praise the Lord and reflect on things that he has taught each of us in the last several months. In the midst of the business, whether it's just the stuff of life or whether it's what we would call 'ministry', what is the Lord teaching you? Have you stopped lately to consider what prayers he has answered, or perhaps where you should redirect your prayers for growth and knowing Him in your life circumstances?
Psalm 46:10 instructs, “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
How much more in the hearts of his blood-bought children should he be exalted!
Home Enjoyment
Peter Engdahl taught this last Sunday on Peace with God. I would encourage you to go watch/listen to it if you were unable like us to gather on Sunday. It is an excellent explanation of how our works do not save us, but how they show our faith, and ultimately point us to glorify God.
Many christians often struggle with understanding how our failures and works play out in our ongoing relationship with God after salvation. Does my struggle with sin make God not love me, or is God more likely to keep me if I do more good? These show a human perspective of God and our response to him, rather than the beautiful truths of God's faithfulness shown in scripture and his work in helping those that are his children to grow in his likeness.
If you are vacillating between trusting in God's promise to you through Jesus or trusting in your works, that is a scary place to be. Peter concluded with a helpful analogy of two couples...
One couple is married and because of that promise divorce is not an option. They know that despite their failures there is a level of commitment and trust that even in the darkest moments leads to peace, knowing that forgiveness will be given and camaraderie will be sought. That promise motivates them to respond to one another with grace and service.
The other couple doesn't want divorce, but hasn't taken it off the table. The 'promise' is just the best they can do. They try to do what's good for the other when they can, but when they mess up they wonder if it's ever enough or wonder what it will take in order for things not to end or fall apart. That leads to fear and performance and keeping record of wrongs and 'peace' only when you are keeping up.
Read 1 John 4:7-18.
How does this passage help you understand how Jesus' love motivates your works?
What does it say about fear? What is the root of fear in a relationship?
How has Jesus dealt with that?
Are you walking in peace with God or fear?
What would the Lord say to you through his Word?
Coming Up
August 31 we will be out at Kidder Creek Camp for the Sunday service, which will start at 10am. Please bring a lawn chair and plan a few extra minutes for parking. A shuttle will be available for elderly in need. If you are interested in being baptized please reach out to me soon so we can prepare for that. There will be BBQ lunch available for $7/person or $28/max per family. Please sign up in the foyer or let the church office know how many will be eating there so we have a headcount. The pond area, pickleball, basketball courts and sports fields will all be open until 3:30pm. Laser tag($10) and horseback rides($30) will be available on a first come/first serve basis and each lasts an hour. It is a wonderful time of fellowship with our church and the Weed and Scott Valley Berean churches!
I am looking forward to seeing you all this coming Sunday and finishing 1 Samuel!
In Christ,
Pastor Phillip
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