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Contact Jeff Van Fleet at
[email protected] or by text at
423-414-8223 with any questions.
Burning Bush Blog Post—Trent Haymore
I was asked to write about what God has been teach-
ing me this year, specifically in light of the trials we
are facing from COVID-19. Even before the eruption of
the virus onto the world stage, 2020 has been a tough
year for me and my immediate family. It seems that a
week doesn’t go by without some setback or some painful news. So what can
be learned in this season, a season where we just can’t seem to catch a break?
Well, I have been attempting to dig deep into the book of Romans and I have
been continually refreshed by the sweet message that it offers to those who are
in Christ Jesus. Specifically, I want to look at a verse that many of you may know
and have memorized, Romans 8:28. It is indeed one well worth committing to
memory and can be a source of joy in the midst of terrible brokenness. It reads:
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for
good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Rom. 8:28 ESV)
The first thing to notice is that this verse is not just some ancient wisdom you
might apply to some aspects of your life, but a present day living truth that
should shape the way you look at the world. This promise is for us! As believers
we love God and have a relationship with him, and we are being called accord-
ing to his purpose. And what is the promise given to us in this verse? It is that
all things work together for our good! This may seem odd, especially in light of
our struggles, our heartaches, and the evil in this world. How could God truly
be working everything out for my good when he allows a virus to damage so
many lives? How can he truly be good when those close to me bear heavy bur-
dens?
The answer is relatively simple. In fact, we have an example of this problem
played out in the Bible! All we need to do is turn back to the book of Genesis to
look at the story of Joseph. We remember how though he went through many
trials and evils, God used the evil of man for his own good purpose:
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring
it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. (Gen.
50:20)
When I sit and think of my own life, especially in light of 2020, I can be re-
freshed with this truth: The trials and heartaches will come, but I have been
given a promise that God will use them for my good. And ultimately I believe
that this “good” that God is working in my life is talked about in the very next
verse, Romans 8:29, where it says:
For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the
image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many
brothers. (Rom. 8:29)
The key phrase to look at here is “to be conformed to the image of his Son.”
Through all of my Christian life I know that God can use any situation, any pain,
any trial to conform me to the image of his Son. We can take comfort in that
fact! It may take a while before the “conforming” becomes evident in our lives,
but when we run to God in the storm we can trust that he will be a good and
loving Father and that he will take our lives and redeem them. This is the truth
I’ve been clinging to this past season and it has not failed me and I don’t imag-
ine that it will!
9:30am Classic Worship Service
Sunday, June 28, 2020
Order Of Worship
“Standing On the Promises”
Welcome
Kids Element—The Lord’s Army
“In Christ Alone”
Message
Dennis McNulty, Pastor
Time Of Commitment
“Blessed Assurance”
Closing Announcements
Mitzi Callahan, Children’s Director
