Greetings from Atibiaia, Brazil! We’ve had a pleasurable week with Anna & André along with André’s family. We’ve traveled a bit to a mountain city that looks like Switzerland, we’ve done some touristy things and eaten a lot of good food! On Sunday, we enjoyed worshiping with them as their church has a strong sense of family. Pastor Pedro gave an exposition of Ephesians 2, emphasizing the unity of Christians because of our union with Christ. We also had the joy of celebrating Anna’s 25th birthday with her on Monday. Andrea and I will return home on Friday – we look forward to seeing you all and worshipping with you again this coming Sunday.
It is a joy to see the enthusiasm and participation in signing up for work on the expansion. When it comes to working or serving, and giving and praying about the building project, it is most important that all of us are all-in on this family project. Where God guides, He provides. Let’s trust Him by asking Him for that provision, thereby showing our dependence upon and trust in Him. This project might seem big for us, but it is not big for Him.
In the context of much rhetoric, ideologies, and darkness that sometimes leads to violence over disagreement, let us be encouraged by our Lord, who promised us that in the world, we will have tribulation, “but take heart, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Paul challenged the Ephesian believers not to take part in unfruitful works of darkness, but to expose them (Ephesians 5:11). The way to expose darkness is to turn on the light. The way to turn on the light is first to live the gospel (Philippians 1:27; Colossians 1:10). Let your life be the outflow of your walk with God as one graciously reconciled to Him. Secondly, speak truth fearlessly but graciously. Truth can set free those who are in bondage, and the truth we speak is anchored in our hope (1 Peter 3:15). Hopeful people are grateful and gracious, so live as people who are truly free. That is salt and light. It is cold water to a thirsty soul.
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