THE HEART OF GOD! How can we know it? How can we understand it? How can we fathom it? I think as Easter draws near these questions come to our mind and demand answers more than at any other time of year. We are perhaps more mindful of a God who would CHOOSE to give His very Son, His only Son, His incredibly beloved Son … for a world of sinners who would be lost for eternity without that precious, priceless, incomprehendable Gift! It seems that even the season of Spring leaps into action to prove the point of new life in visuals of vivid green that dot the yet cool, black soil of the earth. Bulbs and seeds and roots that one would think had surely died during the stark and frigid winter months – come not just poking through, but bursting forth out of the ground. They are proof that endurance in living is possible if we stay grounded and nurtured in the safety and resurrection power of the Word of God. That’s our soil, dear people. It protects us from the deadly, freezing chill of evil … and redeems those harsh times in our lives that take us almost past our point of endurance. Suddenly, we burst forth with new life, new hope, and the ability to go beyond our own limits! People see us like they’ve not seen us before, and we are shining with the brightness of Christ’s resurrection power! Sometimes we feel like we’ve been in the ground a long time … too long. Sometimes we think we’ll be buried and never rise up again. I want you to know, though, that because Jesus LIVES, our feelings and thinking do not have to remain there. We can be renewed in our bodies and minds and souls, by our own decision to CONNECT to the transforming power of the Living God, our Lord! Because God paid such an indescribable price for us with the Gift of His Son, His heart longs to see us changed to be a reflection of Him, His heart longs to see us transformed from the seemingly dead cocoon ~ into the emerging butterfly that equates freedom and beauty. The change doesn’t stop there, though. There’s something more after the transformation. To live transformed, we must continually, daily be renewed. And not just physically, though giving our bodies sufficient rest is a very important part of renewal. What does God’s Word tell us about this critical, resurrection-like change that He desires for us? Romans 12:2 gives us this strong instruction: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing, and perfect will.” How do we get transformed and stay that way? The Bible says, “by the renewing of our minds.” And that takes action. We don’t just sit there doing nothing – and get renewed. So much of God’s plan for us takes a decision and discipline on our part. You see, everything has a price … even what is free, like salvation - takes an action to receive! But when we take that first step in obedience … the strength and empowering comes from God above so that we CAN live it out and it CAN become a way of life for us! We CAN daily know more and more the heart of God and our lives CAN look like His! I’m reminded of a cute story our youngest son told us the other night on the phone about their second son, Miles. Being a typical two year old, soon to be three … he wasn’t listening to his mommy like he should. So she spoke to him in a tone of voice that was meant to get his attention. It did. He turned to her with a look of dismay and said emphatically, “Mom, you can’t talk to me that way!” (I wonder where he heard that before!) I asked Dustin what Becky said when Miles came up with that statement – and he said, “I don’t know. I had to get out of the room because I was trying to keep from laughing!” We smile at the things that young children come up with. But sometimes I think we say the same thing to God. He instructs us, tells us point-blank what is acceptable and what is not. And all too often we don’t want to hear it. By our actions we could just as well be saying, “God, you can’t talk to me that way!” When all along, just like Miles’ mommy, trying to communicate something to her child … God is desiring to communicate with us, His children, and we’re not paying attention like we should. So He ups the level of His voice a notch or two, and eventually He gets our sole attention. We hear His voice, we discover what He’s trying to tell us – or teach us, and in the end, we’re much the better for it … though we may not like it at the time! These encounters are actually part of the renewing process, just as much as pulling ourselves aside from everything to sit at the feet of Jesus and drink in and be refreshed. And we should never minimize how much rest and relaxation also play in the renewal process. Our minds will be in a better place to receive and practice the renewal that God brings through our time in His presence when we are rested and refreshed. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:16: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” And in that state, we can definitely come to know our Father’s heart better!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
- WHAT SWEET FELLOWSHIP we share! This Elevation North family loves to come together to commune with our Father in Heaven, focusing on Him – learning to love Him more and serve Him better. And this Elevation North family loves to come together to be there for each other in really incredible ways! Wish you could “peek in” ~ better yet, why not come and experience all of this WITH us on Sunday mornings!
- A WARM WELCOME to Cody, Jessica, Olivia, and Joe – who all worshipped with us last Sunday for the first time! How we loved having you with us, and our prayer is that God will bless you richly as only He can!
- SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY WISHES go out a bit belatedly to Ernie and Audry who celebrated on April 7th!
- LOVING BIRTHDAY WISHES are sent to Caia who will celebrate her 7th birthday on April 15th!
- LOOKING AHEAD . . .
- THIS SUNDAY, APRIL 10TH: 10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP with Pastor Doug beginning the 3-week series on “The Three Miracles of Easter Sunday”. You won’t want to miss a single one! What power lies in Jesus’ resurrection … for each of us who choose to believe in Him!
- 11:15 A.M. – KINGDOM CONNECTION/SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES – plan to stay after worship for the “Learn the Bible in 24 Hours Study”! Investing this time in deeper learning will be enriching and rewarding in your walk with God!
- PALM SUNDAY, APRIL 17TH: 10:00 A.M. – PRAISE & WORSHIP/SPECIAL SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS PLANNED! Experience Palm Sunday like never before!
- EASTER SUNDAY CELEBRATION SERVICES, APRIL 24TH: Easter Sunrise Service / Continental Breakfast / Easter Worship Celebration / Easter Egg Hunt
- SATURDAY, APRIL 30TH: 2:00 P.M. – MOTHER/DAUGHTER TEA w/rose theme, gourmet refreshments by Hazel, “Heirborne” in concert, and so much more! Invite the moms and daughters and sisters and friends in your life!!!
- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .
- GOD MAKES A WAY WHEN THERE IS NO WAY! Often that way comes through fervent prayer and childlike faith in our Almighty God! Let’s continue to lift up the needs of many in our church family, as well as those who are serving in ministry and in government, that Christ might be lifted up high! Our prayers make a difference!
- REMEMBER . . . “Do you trust God enough to let the truth change the way you act and think?” ~ Bruce Wilkinson
Serving Christ Joyfully . . . Pastor Doug and Debbie
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