At the time this blog posts we will be a week and a half into the fast. So, how are you doing? Have you noticed any changes – especially on the spirit level? You should! If your answer is no, then now is the time to do a spiritual checkup to see where you may have missed something the Holy Spirit was prompting you to do!
Now for this week's verse in Proverbs 1:
"For the backsliding of the simple shall slay them, and the careless ease of [self-confident] fools shall destroy them." Proverbs 1:32 (AMPC)
Many Christians, even though they are born again, never go after God and His way of doing things. As a result, it is very easy for them to be beaten at the game of life. They don't practice hearing and obeying God, so they live pretty much like the world lives. Our part is to draw nigh to God. He shouldn't have to chase us down. Remember, we are to seek Him and His way of doing and being right.
There are consequences to living your life unregulated by God's Word. Even simply doing nothing when God speaks is enough to affect you adversely because doing nothing when God has spoken what to do is disobedience. And there's a price to pay when you disobey.
Just think about it. Sins of the flesh – drunkenness, tobacco, drugs, promiscuous sex, fits of anger, unforgiveness – not only take the spiritual life out of us if we yield to them, but they can also cause us to die young.
That's the way sin is. And that's why God tells us not to do it in verse 32.
Listen to what the Kesuvim / The Writings (Mishlei/Proverbs) on pg. 13 say about verse thirty-two:
Vs. 32 "For the waywardness of simpletons will kill them, i.e., the waywardness of their heart (Rashi) that could not resist the pull of their desires. Ralbag explains that a simpleton acts impulsively, without considering chochmah. This is considered wayward because he is inconsistent. He acts according to his whim at any given moment. This will ultimately bring about his downfall, since he will often choose evil."
"And the contentment of fools will destroy them. Since the wicked think they are succeeding, they continue their wickedness. Thus their perceived success will lead to their ruin (Rashi; Meiri)."
Now, here’s a look at what is happening this week into next with our Radiant groups!
- Thursday, February 15th is our monthly Women’s Business Group is meeting this Thursday night, at 7pm, in the Living Room modular. Topic: Easy Graphic Design – learn how to use Canva (an online website with easy design tools for everyone). If you have one available, please bring your laptop or iPad with you to have hands on experience during the meeting (if you don't have one, you will still be able to learn and participate). Canva has a free account version for you to set up an account with. This will be a fun and interactive evening as we learn together
- Friday, February 16th we have our #MomLife Playday – a group for all moms with children ages elementary and younger to gather together while their children play, make connections, and enjoy some snacks! They will meet at a private home, beginning at 9:30am. You will need to email women@emic.org to get the address.
- Friday, February 16th is the meeting of our newest group Life In The Middle! This group is specifically for women ages 30-49 and meets every 3rd Friday at 7pm in SLC Classroom B.
- Saturday, February 17th is our Deep group meeting. If you are looking to grow deeper in your relationship with the Lord, to experience greater growth with God, then join us every 3rd week on Saturday at 8 am in the Living Room modular.
- Sunday, February 18th is when Bridge Moms meet to cook the meal for our Bridge Young Adults group. We cook every 1st & 3rd Sunday. 2:30pm-6:30pm – Prep to clean up. This group requires a food handlers license (license fee reimbursed upon completion), so if you are interested in joining, please reach out directly to Pastor Cathy: cgrigg@emic.org
- Monday, February 19th is our weekly Radiant Discipleship group led by Pastor Cathy Grigg. Join us as we begin a NEW study of Dr. Bill Winston's book, Living In The Fourth Dimension! We meet at 12:15 pm in the Hospitality Room. This group is also available via Zoom! Click here to register!
- Monday, February 19th we have our Table Talk (65 and Beyond) group. This group is for women (65 years of age and beyond). We have fellowship around the Word of God and with each other. They meet at 11:30 pm at Cattlemen's Reserve within Partner Services Center every 3rd Monday.
- Wednesday, February 21st is our Radiant Bible Study. Enjoy the Word of God and good teaching with other women of EMIC. We meet every 1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month in the Hospitality Room at 10:30 am.
- Thursday, February 22nd is our monthly Abiding Wives group. This is a group for married women to fellowship and connect with each other as we gather to pray for our husbands. We meet every 4th Thursday of the month at a private home, beginning at 7 pm. You will need to email women@emic.org to get the address.
For information on any of our groups, email women@emic.org. Also, if you are ever in need of prayer, please call our prayer line at 877-281-6297. Or, if you need pastoral counseling, call the church office at 817-252-2900 to schedule a time to meet with me.
You are LOVED!
Pastor Cathy
