Howdy,
This evening we’re back to our GPS group meeting after a long break for the holiday season.
And it was a long break; if I remember correctly, it was pre-Thanksgiving not just the typical Christmas and New Year’s.
A few year’s back our church changed the name of its small group gatherings from Growth Groups to GPS, which stands for God, People, Service while also holding the intuition, or even intention, of guidance. Guidance we can get from God’s word and the people following Him and His way.
Whether you made it to church this morning or not, and if you’re in the area, feel free to come join us. You can contact me or contact The Rock Church if you’re interested in joining a group. They’re offered almost any day of the week to fit schedules.
The one we’re a part of is a good time for the whole family, with play for the kids, and a study that includes Scripture, a video presentation, and group discussion, as well as delicous food for all.
We’re getting close to finishing up a study of The Story (selections of Scripture to be “The Bible as one continuing story of God and His people”). Today will be chapter 30, “Paul’s Final Days.” The selection was a great read! It included a large portion from Ephesians and was just fantastic. Around our house, we often say, “Paul was a beast!” because his fearless passion to serve God, share the message of the Jesus Christ’s Gospel, and tell people like it is while doing that was epic.
Paul is quite the model of a Jesus follower and has much to say for those following after him. Paul, quite simply, is a beast. And we say that in all honor and respect. Paul wasn’t God — to be worship — but he sure knew how to serve and share Him.
Beast. In a good way.
Next week we finish The Story with the chapter “The End of Time.”
Sounds interesting, right? The end of time? Seems important. Going to be good. In fact, Pastor Kevin plans to follow our The Story study with a sermon series on Revelation (which has already been introduced, as you may know) to keep going with the end of time in more detail.
It’s a time that scares people, but it’s also good to see Christ the Conqueror. We’ve already seen Him come and conquer death (pretty big!), but He’s got more in store for glorious triumph. If you’re not so sure about that you can take a sneak peek; it’s in the last book of the Bible, Revelation.
“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen” (Revelation 22:20-21).
This reminds me. Paul said something about being on the lookout for this in regard to being in the race, ready, and rewarded. From page 458 of The Story or 2 Timothy 4:7-8: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day — and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”
I’m definitely looking forward to our next, and last, chapter of The Story and the Revelation sermon series. There’s a lot to be learned, with much unveiled, revealed, before it unfolds …
—Billy
Reading. Writing. Living.
Word Count: 49,877 / On Pace: 50,050 / Year’s Goal: 200,000
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