Brothers and sisters,

Over the next several weeks our Sunday School class will be tackling the difficult subject of God’s providence and the reality of evil.

We’ll be discussing:

God’s providence over evil.

God is sinless in His providence over evil.

Evil surves the purposes of God.

God’s providence over pain and suffering.

God takes no pleasure in evil.

God’s providence over calamities.

Since our class is an all ages class, I wanted to let you know what we’ll be talking about so that you’re prepared to talk about it further with your children.

As I’ve said before, I believe it’s vitally important to have an understanding of these things before the storms hit our lives. That way, when they do, we have a solid foundation to rest on.

Hope to see you all there.

Blessings in Christ,

David

Why would I trade You for that which You hate? Even if only for a moment? Even if only in my thoughts?

Why do I put anything above and before You? Even when I know it is sin? Even when I know You, Father, are my God?

I am constantly surprised, (but not really), at how deep my sin goes.

How good it is this morning to know that Christ died for me! And to know that I am able to even ask these questions only because You have not given up on me. You have not left me. You will never leave me.

Father, keep us in Your love today. Amen.

Several of us from the church enjoyed a sweet time of prayer together this evening in our home.

We spent time lifting up the children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren in our lives.

First, each one (or couple) shared their concerns with the group. Then, someone else led in prayer for them.

We also made sure to write everything down so we could remember to pray for them in the future.

We’d like to get together again soon, maybe next month, and pray together again. Maybe for our lost family and friends.

I’ll let you know when and where…

Blessings in Christ,

David

Jeremy and I went up to McKay’s Used Books today and picked up a dozen or so new (used) books for our book table.

We found some great titles for you to look over and hopefully enjoy.

And remember – everything on the table is free!

Blessings in Christ,

David

As one of the Elders/Pastors here at Crossway, with the opportunity and responsibility of teaching and ministering to God’s people on a weekly basis, I have some suggestions on how you can pray for Charlie, David, and myself.  For those of you who are not members at Crossway, maybe you can use these suggestion to pray for your Pastor(s) as well.

Sunday: Pray that God would use the minister of the Word to awaken your heart, and the hearts of those around you.

Monday: Pray that God would keep the minister of the Word from becoming either conceited or despondent because of his personal performance on Sunday.

Tuesday: Pray that God would use the text that the minister of the Word is studying to convict him of sin and conform him to the image of Christ.

Wednesday: (Our Bible study night.)  Pray that God would prepare the minister of the Word to focus after a day at work, so that he may be able to disciple you in the faith.

Thursday: Pray that God would give the minister of the Word a clear mind to see the needs of the congregation that his text addresses.

Friday: Pray that God would confirm the minister of the Word in his studies.

Saturday: Pray that God would grant peace and confidence to the minister of the Word as he reflects on his studies.

Always: Pray that God would keep the minister of the Word from sin, laziness, excess, and hypocrisy, that God would keep Christ always before his eyes, that the work of the Holy Spirit would be evident in his life, and that he would always be ready to give the appropriate response to the sick, the suffering, the persecuted, and the sinner.

Thank you for your prayers.

Jeremy Weaver

Brothers, sisters, and friends,

Remember to work on your memory verse this week:

Proverbs 3:5-6

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart,  and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him,  and He will make straight your paths.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

Also, please think over these questions and how you might answer them:

1. Is it hard to accept that God has the right to do whatever He pleases? What do you do with this struggle?

2. Is it sometimes hard to believe that God’s purposes are right?

Blessings in Christ,

David

Resurrection

O God of my Exodus,

Great was the joy of Israel’s sons, when Egypt died upon the shore, Far greater the joy when the Redeemer’s foe lay crushed in the dust.

Jesus strides forth as the victor, conqueror of death, hell, and all opposing might;

He bursts the bands of death, tramples the powers of darkness down, and lives forever.

He, my gracious surety, apprehended for for payment of my debt, comes forth from the prison house of the grave free, and triumphant over sin, Satan, and death.

Show me herein the proof that his vicarious offering is accepted, that the claims of justice are satisfied, that the devil’s sceptre is shivered, that his wrongful throne is levelled.

Give me the assurance that in Christ I died, in him I rose, in his life I live, in his victory I triumph, in his ascension I shall be glorified.

Adorable Redeemer, thou who wast lifted up upon a cross art ascended to highest heaven.

Thou, who as Man of sorrows wast crowned with thorns, art now as Lord of life wreathed with glory.

Once, no shame more deep than thine, no agony more bitter, no death more cruel.

Now, no exaltation more high, no life more glorious, no advocate more effective.

Thou art in the triumph car leading captive thine enemies behind thee.

What more could be done than thou hast done!  Thy death is my life, thy resurrection my peace, the ascension my hope, thy prayers my comfort.

Taken from The Valley of Vision.

Why do we find the villain so attractive?

I heard it again last night. Some actor saying it’s more fun to play the bad guy than the good.

And think about how many times we find ourselves rooting for liars, cheats, thieves, or killers when watching movies or television.

How much of what you watch portrays what God hates?

Oh God who fixed the boundaries of the Earth!  Who divided the sea by your might!  Who crushed the head of Leviathan!  All power and honor and glory belong to you.  You have chosen us to be your own special people, you have led us out of bondage to sin and placed us in your holy mountain, Zion.

Look on your Church, O Lord!  Your enemies attack and seek to destroy the people you purchased for yourself!  How long will you allow your enemies to scoff over your purchased possession?  How long will they revile your name?  Look upon your people  in lovingkindness and mercy so that we may lift our heads in your praise!

O God, they attack like an army, cutting a path through your people, laying us to waste!  O Sovereign Lord, how long till you come to judge the Earth and avenge the blood of your martyrs on the Earth?  Yet you have given rest to those who had no rest here.  You have exchanged the blood stained garments of the martyrs for robes of white which they now wear before you.  You have promised to come quickly.  Arise,  O God, defend your cause!  Come quickly and receive us to yourself.

In the mighty name of our Savior who bore his cross on our behalf, and who calls us to take up our cross if we would inherit eternal life, the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Based on Psalm 74 and Revelation 6:9-11.