Devotional Thought

Greetings Church Friends and Family

After several challenging phone calls this week, I had to come to the realization once again that sometimes you have to say "NO!"

As I thought about it, I remembered something my dad shared with me early in my ministry (even though I struggled with the concept, and still do).

If you want to grow, sometimes you have to say "no." The author of the letter to the Hebrews encourages us to cast off all burdens and sins from us along our faith journey so that we can persevere in the race of faith with our eyes fixed on Jesus (Heb 12:1).

A crucial word that I must remember for my spiritual journey through life is an unexpected word: "no." Your journey of faith is long. Many travelers start very well but begin to wither away near the end. God wants you to complete the total distance. He wants you to finish strong!

You have a long marathon ahead of you. You cannot run the whole distance with weights in your hands. How would you fare if you had to carry a barbell in your hands all the way? People often leave the race of faith because of all the things they bring with them. It usually tires them out to the extent that they consider giving up and leaving everything. Therefore, it is necessary that we de-clutter.

A passenger ship can pick up speed in the water. If you attach 100 lifeboats to it, it will slow down. It happens when we try to do too much. We will have to learn to say 'no' to certain things that may be good, but that keeps us from doing our best. The NLT puts it this way: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.".

Weights are not harmful to you - you can exercise your muscles and get fit. It is also not sinful - it has a purpose and place in its time. It's just unnecessary for our earthly spiritual journey.

Maybe it's a specific job you're doing, a relationship that drains your energy, a hobby that takes a lot of time. Perhaps it's the newspaper - and news. News, news, news; from morning to night. You just can't seem to get enough of the news, radio, or TV. It's something that keeps you away from the race - it holds you back and prevents you from going full speed. It stands in the way of what God wants to do in you and through you. Is it worth it? No!

That is why it is good to think carefully about the things holding me back - that make me stray, that drain my energy unnecessarily, resulting in my perseverance in the race of faith. It may be necessary to say "no" so that you can again say "yes" to God and his purpose for your life. He wants you to prosper, grow, and be free to serve Him. What are the weights to which you should say "no"?

GET INVOLVED/VOLUNTEER

·Deacons/Deaconesses

·Sabbath School & Connect Group Leaders

·Social Media Team Members (Like to take pictures of church events? We’d like to capture what is happening at church, and we want you to help us do it)

Sabbath at-a-glance

SERMON by Pr. Eugene – "Finding Joy in Adversity"

A Sermon looking at Finding Joy in times of Adversity and Hardship. Paul says in Philippians 1:12-14, “¹² And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. ¹³ For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. ¹⁴ And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear.” (NLT)

POTLUCK (1st and 3rd Saturday of every month) – following our service in the Fellowship Hall. Please bring your favorite dish, side dish, or dessert to share, and let's enjoy great food and fellowship.

From the Main Campus

Below, just a couple of quick updates for us locally, and some from the main campus at Arlington for your attention and consideration.

2nd Annual Car Show (Free to attend) - https://www.facebook.com/events/4361285280595576/

Make plans to come out for a day of food, fellowship, family activities, and, of course, four-wheeled fun! All cars are welcome and prizes will be awarded. To register go to: https://forms.gle/KYfc8t4RCuZERUeB7

Entry fee $10 per car with proceeds to support Revive Community Care.

Greeter University

CALLING WARM AND FRIENDLY FOLKS!

If you have a gift for hospitality - or you want to! - plan to join us on Sabbath afternoon, September 11, for Greeter University, a program developed and presented by our very own Ernie Pyle! Since we never get a second chance to make a good first impression, we want to continue to grow our Greeting Ministry in a way that communicates our mission from the first moment someone arrives at our campus, and we need you to make that happen! We'll even feed you in the process!! Join us for lunch and learning - Sabbath, September 11, lunch at 1p, training at 2p. For more information or to RSVP, email Loselie Weber (loselie@arlingtonadventist[dot]com) today!