To God’s Beloved At Cloverdale Baptist Church:
I am thankful that we can trust God all of the time!
He is REAL, RELEVANT, RELATIONAL and RESPONSIVE, even when we don’t feel like it…and in the midst of any storm we can take responsibility to choose what is best as He defines it, and we can trust His wisdom in what we can’t understand.
There is a generational storm hitting Florida as I write this email, and it is going to change the coastline and impact millions of people…and we can trust God.
A year ago Monday Israel was attacked by terrorists, and this has created further unrest in a region that is already incredibly broken. Are we headed towards a world war? Will Israel ever have peace? Are the hostages still alive, will they be released? How will Gaza ever be rebuilt? Why are Christians in this area of the world suffering?
Ukraine is under continual attack, and there seems to be no end to that war, and winter is coming and cold…as the infrastructure that provides heat is being decimated.
There is an election in the U.S.A., and one in BC…and hopefully sooner than later one in Canada. Who governs matters, and it seems that we don’t always get the people we vote for….
There is personal tragedies that impact our church, and our own live that sometimes make us feel like we are drowning and lose the color of life to the chaos of despair.
I am thankful that we can trust God all of the time!
In his excellent book, Trusting God, Jerry Bridges encourages us to look to God and know that even when we don’t understand why, we can trust who. God is All Wise, and never makes a mistake in His plan…God is All Powerful, and never runs into a situation where He is contingent…God is Good, as seen most beautifully by what Jesus has done for us…and I would add…God is Personal, and notices us and is engaged in our lives.
God is good all the time…all the time God is good...WE CAN TRUST HIM IN THE MIDST OF ANY STORM!
So this week as you look at the global destruction, or the personal pain, remember to keep looking to God and resting in Him…
Meditate on Psalm 46, or Habakkuk, or so many other places and remember that in the storm, JESUS IS WITH YOU, and that is enough…
Looking to Him as the storm rages around me,
Pastor Rob
Matthew 8:23-27
Sunday Is Coming:
Title: When Faith Meets Fear
Text: Habakkuk 2:1-20
Read the entire book of Habakkuk, it is a short book, and meditate on our memory verses…Habakkuk 3:17-18
As you reflect on the text we are going to study it is helpful to remember that 2:4 is one of the most important verses in the entire Bible for understanding church history.
- It is the verse that formed the foundation of the Reformation.
- Why is it so important to live by faith and not by sight?
- How can you choose to live this kind of life in the midst of the chaos that you are going through?
- Why is knowing the justice of God helpful in seeking to live a life of faith?
- What attributes of God can you meditate on this week to help you trust God fully in the midst of any storm that comes your way?
Bulletin
Women's Retreat Registration
November 1st–3rd / Cedar springs, WA A 3-day retreat with a focus on building gospel friendships with special guest speaker Bronwyn Short, fun activities, and time to relax. Childcare will also be offered to mothers with infants. Register by October 13 >
Habits of Grace Conference
Oct. 25 & 26, 2024 / Cloverdale Baptist We are excited to announce the Habits of Grace Conference in partnership with Desiring God! Guest speaker David Mathis, executive editor for desiringGod.org, will be joining Pastor Rob to delve into how spiritual disciplines can deepen our joy in Christ. Breakout sessions specifically designed for men, women, youth, and couples will focus on spiritual growth. Lunch provided. Register today!
Thanksgiving Offering
This year's Thanksgiving Offering will be in support of Dan Gibson's film project and will remain open until Oct. 31st. Please mark your envelopes or electronic gifts "Thanksgiving Offering".
Discipleship Classes All Ages
Sundays at 9:00 AM We believe in the importance of sound biblical education for all! Every Sunday at 9am we'll have an hour of teaching and discipling for all children, youth, and adults, where we can all grow in our understanding of the scriptures and the Christian life. Check out our classes >
