March 4, 2010

Years ago, when our children were teenagers, our family decided to choose a passage of scripture that would become our theme text. After much deliberation, we chose Philippians 4:6, 7 which says:

 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 Now I want you to know that although the apostle Paul is my favorite contributor to the Bible, I did not exercise any unfair pressure upon the other members of my family in making this selection. Honestly, I didn’t. As I look back on it now, I am convinced that it was a direct result of the prompting of the Holy Spirit in our lives. In these two verses, God has given his people the antidote to anxiety. When you think about it, worry is the result of not being sure that the situations in our lives are going to work out for our good. But when we are able to place all of our cares and concerns in the hands of all-knowing, all-loving God, then what need do we have to worry? I challenge each of you to take the time and choose a passage of scripture as your theme for your family. You never know the eternal impact that it will have on your lives as well as the lives of others.

As the Sabbath quickly approaches, I challenge you to be in the House of Prayer as we make plans to worship our God as brothers and sisters in Christ. This Sabbath, I will begin a three-part series on The Temptations of Christ. I believe that it is one of the most important series I have ever had the opportunity to share with the body of Christ. In preparation for these messages, I encourage you to read Matthew 4:1-11. Our worship through music will be provided by our own Sligo Children’s Choir.

Just a reminder that the memorial service for the late Elder Maurice Battle will be here at Sligo this Sunday, March 7, at 2 p.m. We ask that you please continue to keep the Battle for family in your prayers.

Finally, as I mentioned last week, please remember that the date for our first OSR debt reduction offering for 2010 will be April 3. We are encouraging you to begin to make this a matter of prayer as to what the Lord would have you do for this day of sacrificial giving. I am convinced that if we continue to remain faithful, God will continue to do “more than we can ask or think.”