Godly Sorrow

"Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death"  (2 Cor. 7:10).

     A. W. Tozer once said that if you want to be happy don't pray for discernment.  Assessment of "living east of Eden" causes one to sorrow over sin--cultural sins and one's own sin.  But while this may cause temporary unhappiness, discernment that leads to Christ creates permanent joy.  Let me explain:

     Paul reminds us of two very different kinds of sorrow--worldly and Godly.  The Apostle provides no prescription for earthly sorrow, but encourages us that Godly sorrow entails a process leading to a happy ending.  Godly sorrow leads to repentance (turning from sin to Christ), which then leads to salvation with no regrets.

    Complacency of sins leads to eternal condemnation while repentance that leads to salvation leads to eternal joy.  Thus the saying,  "God comforts the afflicted but afflicts the comfortable."  

     Every life outside of Christ can be summed up in three words: sin, sorrow and death.  Praise be to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who breaks this cycle of violence with salvation that leaves no regret. Believers rejoice that Godly sorrow is but a pathway leading us through tough times toward a permanent place of peace and refuge.

     Praising the Prince of Peace as He guides you through the Valley of the Shadow toward the home He has prepared for you.  Don't forget to allow yourself Sabbatical rest stops along the way.

Tim


REMINDERS/ANNOUNCEMENTS:

     Looking forward to our Sabbath Eve service and meal this Saturday night (meal at 6 pm, worship at 7) at the Trinity Worship Center.  The menu this week is smoked chicken, potato salad, baked beans, rolls, and dessert. Special thanks to Rusty Hines for smoking the chicken for us and also to those of you who have been asked to provide desserts this week! I pray that God will bring a face to your mind in need of an invitation to attend.  Praise God for the lives that are already being impacted!

     We are in great need of volunteers for nursery service for those children who are too young for children's worship and too young to remain in worship (birth - 3 yrs). If we had 8-10 volunteers, that would mean only serving every 2 months or so.  This is a need that is vital to the success of our overall ministry.  Please be praying about this area of service and let Julie or Tim know if you are available for this wonderful ministry.  Debbie Aycock is our volunteer this week for nursery service....thank you, Debbie!

     Sunday week (that's southern slang for "not this Sunday but the next") we will begin 3 alpha study groups.  One for co-eds (being taught in our home), one for men and one for ladies (both of these locations are TBA).

     God is tremendously blessing this ministry financially!  Praise God for faithful tithers!  We are striving to be good stewards of the resources God is blessing us with.  Pauletta Davis has graciously taken on the position of treasurer for Sabbatical Life Ministry.  She has August's financial statement ready for any of you who would like to have a copy to see how we are doing financially and where the funds were spent this past month.  Please contact Pauletta if you would like to receive a copy. Remember, if you need to receive tax credit for your giving, make your checks payable to Wild Goose Outreach with a memo to Sabbatical Life.  If you do not need tax credit, you can make your checks payable directly to Sabbatical Life.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

     And lastly, we need weekly volunteers for set-up and clean-up.  If you are available to arrive a little early to help set-up tables and meal prep...or if you can stay a little later and help clean-up and put things back in order, please let Pauletta, Tim, or Julie know.  It has been such a blessing to see everyone pull together like a family to get things done for the Kingdom!