PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS DINNER
July 9th
6:30 PM
Call Church Office To Sign Up For Caterer
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Daily Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart:
Ephesians 2:4-5, “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)”
Ephesians 2:1-3 says, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”
These verses describe us as failures, perfected in sinning, rotten and corrupted, living under the dominion of the devil, living out the drives of the flesh, and being by nature children of wrath, even as the rest of mankind.
Then verses 4-5 say, But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses.
Even when we were in that situation, God loved us.
Here again is God loving people who are failures, perfected in their failure, and who are spoiled and corrupted to the uttermost.
And verses 5-6 show God demonstrating His love: He made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus.
This unveils the nature of God’s love toward us.
We usually live in the realm and on the level of our worthiness and our condition.
In this realm, whether God loves us depends very much on whether we feel we are lovable.
If we think we have “measured up” a little bit–we have had a better week, or have done a few extra good things–then we feel that we can receive the love of God.
Many times our perception of God’s attitude toward us is based on our own feelings about ourself.
God’s love is far beyond our human concept or ideas.
Until Tomorrow,
With a Shepherd’s Love
Pastor
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TODAY’S PRAYER LIST
Don Slate – Angela Bryan’s Dad – Funeral Today Bill Lawhead
Marli Page & Sarah Payne – Mission Trip To Nicaragua
Brandon Black
Brandon’s Dad & Grandmother
Debra Roberts – Much Prayer Needed
Hanna Hall – Pray For Grace
Joe Johnson
Marynell Ford – Pray For Guidance
Amy Garner’s Mother
Ashley Burn’s Sisters
Barbara Shed’s Family
Bill Moody
Charlie Sessom –Waiting
Colby/Connor – Allison’s G’sons
Denise Stubbs – Kim Allison’s Mom
Donna Gourley
Doug Fritzel
Greg Payne – Lisa’s Brother
James Garner’s G’Son
Joyceann – James Garner’s Daughter
Kimberly – Dustin’s Sister
Larry Barker
Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah
Lynn – Nancy Brown’s Daughter
Mary Sims
Mary Williams Son – Mike
Michael Stanley
Nancy Brown’s G’Daughter
Nora Allison – Dustin’s Mom
Pastor Stucke– Nikki’s Dad
Paula Ferus’ Missionary Friend
Ricky Stubbs
Roseleigh Osborn
Scott Lanier – Lisa’s Cousin
Sharon Blalock
Shaelyn – Jill’s Friend
Sheila Simmons Cousin
Tom Witcher