It is 9:30 am and I am getting ready for my weekly preaching meeting with Tim and Lance. Did you know that Lance joins us via skype as much as he can? I am REALLY excited that we will begin a new series this Sunday called, "Restored-How the Gospel Makes us Whole." I hope that you have invited a few friends.When was the last time you brought someone to church with you? You can read about the upcoming series here: http://bridgelife360.com/?p=2426 and even share the promo video or link with your friends on email or social media. I am praying that as we go through this series we will experience much joy and hope from the gospel! I am also praying that many non-christians will come to faith! Will you join me in praying daily for this?
BUT, that isn't why I am writing you today...Actually, as I sat down at my desk and prayed the Spirit took me in a different direction than sermon prep this morning. He stirred my soul and took me to five hopes that I have for The Bridge-Leadington as we finish out 2013 and move into 2014. Who knows, maybe I will make this into a sermon series at some point in the future. It will definitely make it into our Members meeting taking place on Nov. 3rd at 5:00pm. But, I had to share them with you today.
Here are my five hopes.
Hope #1 - A renewed love for the people of St. Francois County
Hope #2 - A renewed passion for evangelism
Hope #3- A renewed fervency in prayer
Hope #4 - A renewed devotion to covenant community
Hope #5- A renewed joy flowing from resting in the Gospel that splashes onto others
Here are a few questions I am wrestling with. What does it look like for us individually and corporately to love our community afresh? What distracts us from going fishing with our buddies to catch more people for Jesus? How can we get more specific and regular with our prayer lives. How can we grow closer as a community? What steals our joy and moves our attention away from from the relentless love and grace of God?
So, these are my five hopes. I didn't wake up thinking about them. I just went and worked out and then sat down and prayed. God interrupted my planning and prepping to stir some things up in my heart. Now, I'm giving them to you. I'm giving them back to Him as well.
I am going to leave you with the verse I read that for some reason sparked all of this.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.1 Peter 1:3-5 ESV
