God chose us before the creation of the world to be adopted as his sons and daughters through Jesus. This was His pleasure and His will, to know us and love us intimately, as a father loves his child.
At this time of the year we often think about our founding fathers. Men such as Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin franklin, just to name a few of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence. I am inspired by their determination and boldness, considering the great risk they took signing that document and what it would eventually cost them. I wonder what they might think of our country today. Would they be pleased? Regardless of the condition of our country, God has placed His Church in America to be salt and light to a dark world. One writer has said; “May the courage of our founding fathers inspire us to take risks, be bold, and believe that the good news of Jesus will change the world.”
As we had founding fathers of our country, each of us has an earthly father, some good, some not so good. However, we are reminded that we have a heavenly Father, and that Jesus came to open the way back to that Father, His Father. Galatians 4:6 says; “Because we are God’s children, He has sent the Spirit of His Son, Jesus, into our hearts, so that now we have the right to talk about God as our Father, our Abba, our Dad. The song writer said; “I ask, You answer. I knock, You open wide. I pray and You hear me. I call, You’re by my side. I fall, You lift me. I call, and You are there. Father, I’ll never cease to love You! You are my Abba, my heavenly Father and I am my Abba’s child.
At the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, spectators saw a living picture of God’s love for His children. That year, Derek Redmond of Great Britain was reaching for His lifelong dream of winning a gold medal. As the gun sounded, he knew he was running the race of his life. Tragically, a torn right hamstring sent him sprawling facedown of the hard surface of the track. By a sheer act of will, he struggled to his feet and began hopping toward the finish line. Suddenly a large man in a t-shirt came out of the stands flinging security guards aside. Making his way toward the wounded runner, Jim Redmond threw his arms around his son. “Son, you don’t have to do this,” he said. “Yes, Dad, I do,” Derek answered. “All right then, let’s finish this thing together,” said the father. And that’s exactly what they did. Staying in Derek’s lane the whole way, the son’s head frequently buried in his father’s shoulder, they made it to the end of the race as the crowd rose to its feet, weeping and cheering! Derek didn’t win the gold medal that day, but he walked away from the race with the memory of a father who loved him too much to stay in the stands watching him suffer – a father who came down out of the stands and entered his race. This is the kind of heavenly Father we have, one who loves us too much to look down from heaven watching us fall and fail, but who is willing to come into our race, running it beside us and within us every step of the way until we are safely home.
Again, the song writer says; “When I fall, You restore me, and when I fail, You lead me in Your way! When the race is too rough, You run beside me. You’re there to guide me every day.”
How awesome it is to know that the God of the universe wants to have a Father/child relationship with us!
Blessings on your week, as you remember all that your Father in heaven has done for you.
Pastor BartScheduleforSundayJuly2,2023:
Ruth Class @ 9:00 AM in Room #202
The Saints Class @ 9:00 AM in Room #201
Prayer Room open @ 9:00 AM Room #206
Preschool Worship opens in KID CITY @ 10:15 AM
Morning Worship In-Person & Online @ 10:30 AM in Worship Center
Kidz4Christ dismissed during Morning Worship
Schedulefortherestoftheweek,July3-July8,2023:
Thursday@ 6:00 PM Bible Study and Prayer Meeting in Fellowship Hall
CHURCH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED ON TUESDAY, JULY 4, 2023.
IF YOU NEED HELP OR ASSISTANCE Deacon of the Week: Gene Moore 928-350-8789
“Firm Foundation”
“Build Your Kingdom Here”
OUT OF MANY, ONE
Welcome & Offertory Prayer
Pledge to the Flag of the United States ofAmerica
“The Star Spangled Banner”
Pledge to the Christian Flag
“Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory”
Kidz4Christ dismissed
“My Country, ‘Tis of Thee”
“America The Beautiful”
“Song For The Nations”
Guest Preacher: Dave Arden, The Spirit of Martyrdom International
“Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus”
“God Bless America”
A Life Giving Church … Giving Life
2820 N. Pleasant View Drive Prescott Valley, AZ 86314 928-772-7218
fsbcpv@firstsouthernpv.org
www.firstsouthernpv.org
Church Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8:30AM - 2:30PM
Senior Pastor Terrell Eldreth: 619-244-6265
PastorTerrell@firstsouthernpv.org
Worship Pastor Bart Young 928-254-8713
PastorBart@firstsouthernpv.org
Advancing the Kingdom of God
one heart at a time.
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