Daily Devotions

Today's Bible reading: Leviticus 26 & 27; Acts 23

Scripture:

Acts 23:11 “The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said; ‘Take courage! As you
have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

Observation:

Paul is under arrest in Jerusalem, mostly to protect him from the crowds stirred up by the Jewish leaders angry with him. Even as the Sanhedrin set up a exploratory trial to clarify the charges against him, the unruly crowds became violent and the soldiers had to rescue him. In jail the Lord appeared to Paul and reassured him that he would live to travel to Rome to fulfil his calling of witnessing to the gospel in that city.

Application:

Optimism is an essential trait of leaders and those who would make a difference in life. I must continually guard against pessimism and cynicism, the two great enemies of optimism, in order to fully serve the Lord, fulfil my calling and leadership opportunities. To a certain extent this is a discipline of my mind and heart, but that discipline must be undergirded by faith in God’s word and work.

Even as Paul found himself in a confusing and hostile environment, the Lord renewed a promise to keep him safe in order for God’s purposes to be fulfilled in his life and ministry. This allowed Paul to be filled with faith and optimism in the midst of difficult circumstances and he lived to see the Lord do great things in Rome and even during the journey to Rome.

A focus on difficult circumstances and challenges will inevitably result in pessimism and cynicism. Trusting God builds a genuine optimism!

Hello Sonrise!

We welcome Eric Park to our Sonrise staff today as our youth pastor. Eric and his wife Lili-Kayy met at Eston Bible College, graduating in 2006 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Studies. Eric & Lili with their children, Justice and Charis have been living in
North Vancouver and will be moving to Cloverdale next month. We welcome them to our church family and to our staff. We will introduce them and pray over their ministry on Sunday.

We are also blessed to have Andrew, Michelle & Calli Masters back in town for a visit. It is great to meet Calli and catch up with their lives and ministry at LIFT Church in Hamilton. This Sunday night at Sonrise our Night Church will be a reception for the Masters; everyone is welcome to join us at 7pm in the Fireside Room. Please bring some appies and desserts for all to share.

We invite you to observe LENT with us beginning on Ashe Wednesday, February 22. LENT is 40 days of practicing spiritual disciplines, including bible reading, journaling, prayer, fasting and service. Pick up a bookmark with the details this Sunday or watch for our Lent Blog on the Website beginning next Wednesday.

We had a great time last Sunday taking a ‘connection break’ in the middle of the service and will do the same this Sunday. Please put on your nametag and make a point of meeting some new friends in our church family.

See you Sunday,

Pastor Stan