Now for a bit from our Bible study last Wednesday that was too good not to share with you…

 

We were looking at John chapter 1:19-51.  John the Baptist shows up and attests to Jesus’ imminent arrival.  We says that Jesus is coming.  Shortly afterward, John the Baptist is meeting with two of his disciples when Jesus walks by.  John points Jesus out and tells his own disciples to go and follow Jesus.  They do.  These disciples go and they arrange for Jesus to go and call several disciples and they also go and share the news about Jesus with some others who then respond.  The last in this chain is Nathaniel who requires a bit more evidence before he goes and follows Jesus.  Jesus calls upon him with a bit of a prophetic vision and Nathaniel believes and follows.

 

Now our discussion at Bible Study moved to this place.  How have each of you been brought to faith?  (Or maybe that is an ongoing dynamic)  Were invited by someone?  Did another person point you in the right direction?  Did Jesus announce himself to you and call you in a supernatural way?  Did you require a bit more evidence before you made the commitment in faith?

 

We all come to faith in different ways.  The people that we love that we pray would see a bit more of God’s presence in their lives also respond in different ways and the timing is also different.  As we invite folks to take a glimpse of the faith, we can also exercise sensitivity and love as we wait for the right circumstances for faith to bloom.  That’s the way it happened for so many of you.  That’s how it happened with me as well.

 

What a great series we have enjoyed at church.  So many have commented to me about the benefits of God's Word over the last six weeks.  I am so grateful that the faithfulness of God meets the anticipation of our hearts and that the Holy Spirit meets us right where we are.  If you haven't had the chance, check out the download page and listen to some of the messages from "Surf's Up:  Riding the Waves of God's Grace."

The movie that we excerpted was "Endless Summer,"  a Bruce Brown film from 1966.  I highly recommend it to you.  It is rated "G", I believe. 

Next up in our message series is "The P of E: The Power of Everybody."  Over the next few weeks we will be considering the importance, joy, and wonderful grace that is represented in the community of faith.  I hope you can make it to our services of worship.

If you are new to our website and/or church, I want to make you feel right at home.  Look around, send an email, listen to a message, and let us know what you think.

Be blessed in Jesus,

Pastor Rob