Going Forward

So it's been almost two months since my last posting and in that time we've seen God do some amazing work.  As a church, we've had the chance to be part of His time-critical plan of invading our communities through the love and service of His people.  Now I'm not saying it's been easy...in fact, I'm exhausted!! At times over the last few months, I've wanted to yell out, "Enough already!!"  You've heard it said, "God never gives us more than we can handle" (which is not in the Bible but does carry an intrinsic Biblical truth verified by Scripture after Scripture):  "My God will supply all your needs"..."The Lord is my strength"..."We are more than successful through the God who loves us and has called us according to His purpose (of
redeeming a lost world)".  God has made His strength known in amazing ways over the past two months in allowing us to host two mission teams who ministered in both South Fork and Monte Vista...who walked alongside of us in our ministry as they reached out to the hurting, the brokenhearted, and the lost around us.  God made His strength known as we reached out as a body to comfort and help those displaced by the West Fork and Papoose Fires.  God made His strength known as we parked car after car after car during Stampede, loving on people through free water and meaningful conversation, and giving the community one more glimpse at what Christ would be like if He lived in the Valley today.  We have been busy in the past two months.

So as we begin to move into a new season, with the advent of August and the culmination of summer events, let's determine in our minds to find new ways to bless the people around us.  Let's be intentional as we reach out in creative and appropriate ways to help people transition from summer to fall.  And I want you to ask yourself this question as August begins:  "Do I feel as if I allowed myself to be used by God this summer to bless people and let them encounter Jesus through my life and actions?"  If the answer is yes, then as this fall approaches keep going forward as God has already led you.  Helping others and walking alongside of people should be the passion of Believers not a burden to carry.  Enjoy the interactions and keep blessing your community.  If the answer is no, then let today be a day of change.  Find a way to plug in at Calvary...look for opportunity to serve.  Don't let the blessing of commitment, fellowship, and service pass you by.  God has commissioned His people to bless their communities and be example of His love to all those around them.  As I conclude, let me leave you with this verse which will hopefully inspire us all to further contentment in the mission God has given us...
in the next few weeks we'll dwell on this passage further.  Jeremiah 29:4-7:

"This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:  'Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.  Marry and have sons and daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters.  Increase in number there and do not decrease.  Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile.  Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers you too will prosper.'"

What does God have in store for Calvary Baptist Church?  We will see...