Today we had one new work project in a nice neighborhood where neighbors didn't know each other before the fires. With fewer trees, they discovered beautiful panoramic views, sunny areas for butterfly gardens, and the joy of neighbors - "a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." (Isaiah 61:3) We also rejoiced that Bill only cut up his jeans with his chain saw and not his leg!
Tonight was our last night of Bible clubs. Attendance was down to 68, but God is good, all the time. 4 more decisions for Christ which are being celebrated in heaven tonight, for a total of 21 decisions so far this week. Today the teens focused more on helping the kids truly understand the gospel and why Jesus died on the cross for us. The kids and their families will join us tomorrow night for Summerfest at Bastrop Bible Church.
In worship tonight, Sarah talked to us about God's amazing love. To better understand who God is, we need to understand how he loves us. Hosea exemplifies this. God told Hosea to choose Gomer the prostitute for his wife. God uses Hosea's relationship with and love for his wife to illustrate His own unconditional love for His chosen people the Israelites. Gomer is unfaithful to the one who has given her everything in life, just like the Israelites are unfaithful to God who who has given them everything. Like Gomer strayed away from her life with Hosea, we too often stray away from God's way of life he has planned for us. God's love is passionate for us, but requires discipline that can lead to his wrath against our sin, and yet it is faithful and relentless in his pursuit of us. Even though Hosea's wife was unfaithful, he was told to return to his wife and love her and her illegitimate children, just as God continually returns to the unfaithful Israelites with unconditional love.
More pictures of our work projects and last Bible clubs:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153055780785613.1073741830.695475612&type=1&l=26ecd5aa2c
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