Greetings to you all
With the chilly winds of these first few days of “official” springtime, the contrast with the warm, colorful season just ahead is striking. So much to enjoy, in this season, is still on its way, even though, yes, it is already “spring”.
That’s such a good illustration of faith. Nature (by God’s design) brings us a quiet reminder of a significant spiritual fact: Spring is already here. We just can’t feel it yet!
This seasonal inflection point is very much like the big bold expectancy God sends us in the Gospels. In the earthly ministry of Jesus, a future-focus flowed through each encounter He had with crowds, disciples, shopkeepers, priests, scribes, tax collectors and Pharisees. Time and time again He announced this news to the crowds that gathered around him: “The kingdom of heaven is at hand”.
To emphasize that bright bold future, Jesus spoke of a spiritual springtime that cannot (yet!) be felt but is waiting to be unveiled. “Don’t be afraid, little flock” he explained, “for Your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32b)
A similar future-focus in Romans 8:18-28 shines through the obstacle course we all walk as we learn to pray in the Spirit’s power.
That section begins with the promise of God’s eternal springtime: “For…the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18)
It concludes with the assurance that something very good is happening in that puzzling gap between today’s chilly winds and the warm growing season that God has in store for us. (“We know that for those who love God all things work together for good.” verse 28a)
When chilly winds of hurt, adversity or disappointment seem swift and strong, remember this: Your King is bringing the spring. His kingdom is speedily on its way. Walking by faith (not by sight…nor by our feelings),equips us for far more blessing than we can ever put into words. Every prayer, expressed in the flow of life’s rushing current, is a step of faith into the certainty of His coming Kingdom.
Count on it today! His unfailing love makes your journey into springtime possible.
Challenge Farm Mission Offering
With the Challenge Farm program in Kitale Kenya growing stronger, we’re inviting friends to give toward construction of a boy’s dorm for 80 students, to supplement a $20,000 special gift given by a donor for the dorm project. Since the appeal for $14,500 in the attached newsletter, $5600 has come in. That brings the balance needed for the new “mini dorm” to $8900 as of this weekend. .
We would love to help Challenge Farm meet that goal of raising $8900 for the boys’ dorm project. If you can help with a gift in any amount, use a Liberty Church offering envelope to designate for “CF dorm” (on the Missions line) or simply write “CF dorm” on the memo line of your check. Place it in the offering box on any Sunday between now and Easter. Thanks for partnering with us in support of Challenge Farm and please keep the “boys’ dorm project” in prayer for a speedy and successful build.
See the March Challenge Farm Newsletter below:
Welcome to Cafe Liberty, Worship & Ladies Luncheon ~ March 23rd
Join us for great coffee, fellowship and greetings for our guests in Cafe Liberty tomorrow @ 9:45 AM.
Step on anytime in the half hour prior to 10:15 AM Worship
Welcome ladies for tomorrow’s Love-in-Action luncheon @ 11:45 AM (after morning service)
Also….April events for your calendar:
Saturday, April 5th ~ Christian Farmers Outreach Annual Luncheon @ 12:00 Noon @ Pleasant Valley Fire Hall
Flyers on the Connections Table ~ Tickets available @ 443.508.4338
Sunday, April 6th ~ Christ in the Passover Sunday with Peter Leeds representing Jews for Jesus ~ 10:15 AM
Sunday, April 13th ~ Palm Sunday ~ and Liberty Ladies Love-in-Action Luncheon following morning service
Friday, April 18th ~ Good Friday Communion in Worship @ 7:00 PM
Sunday, April 20th ~ He is risen! Celebrating the resurrection of Jesus!
Here are the links for joining us in live stream worship or to watch at any time that is best for your schedule:
- Live-stream via our Live page.
- Live-stream via our Facebook Live page
- Past services on our YouTube channel
- Audio podcasts
“Sing to God, sing in praise of His name;
Extol Him who ides on the clouds;
Rejoice before Him – His name is the LORD.
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
is God in His holy dwelling.”
(Psalm 68:4-5)
In His love,
Pastor Joe
Liberty Church
P.O. Box 295
Westminster MD 21158
Office: 410.857.4313
Pastor’s cell: 410.596.4096