Dear Friends,

Sue and I are back and looking forward to seeing you Sunday. Our work with the IMB missionaries in Greece was a real eye-opener. So many things we assumed had to be reconsidered your perspective changes when you see and hear things for yourself. We spent days listening to the stories of refugees and sharing the Gospel in person with people amazingly open. We found that people are very much the same when you eat and talk with them. We heard some of the saddest tales and met some of the bravest Christians we have encountered. We met brothers and sisters in Christ from all kinds of countries and ethnicities. We found that there are many more followers of Jesus in many more places than you can imagine. The gospel is spreading and changing lives for the good. Because lives are changed the world is also changed one soul at a time.That is how the world is changed for the good. It happens one soul at a time, it starts with you in the midst of your community.

That is how the world is changed for the good. It happens one soul at a time, it starts with you in the midst of your community.
This Sunday I will begin a series of messages titled CHANGE.In these messages, we will explore what the bible says about change. I will teach about how it happens and what gets in the way. The gospel is about positive change and God will not stop until that change is complete.

In these messages, we will explore what the bible says about change. I will teach about how it happens and what gets in the way. The gospel is about positive change and God will not stop until that change is complete.1 Th 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Th 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I can’t wait to see you.

Blessings,
Joe

• In what ways have you changed in the last ten years?
• In what ways have you changed in loving more like Jesus?
• How did these changes happen?
• What does the word repent mean?
  
  metanoeō | Thayer Definition: Part of Speech: verb –this is an action word
  • To change one’s mind, i.e. to repent
  • To change one’s mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one’s past sins

Mat 3:2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

Mat 4:17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

• What does real repentance look like?

2 Co 7:9-11 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us.  For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter.

• Why is should continual positive change be the path of every truly saved person?

2 Co 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

• Can a Christian say honestly say I can’t change in ways God has directed?
• How can we pray for you personally?