Dear Church Family, Have you ever been trapped? It’s a horrible feeling, where you’re powerless to get away. You can get trapped in traffic, imprisoned, or stuck in a contract. Each of these situations is one you don’t want to be in. In Nehemiah 9, the people confess their sin before the Lord. As they do this, they describe their current situation. They have sinned against the Lord, and even though they are back in the land, they still don’t feel free. Nehemiah 9:36-37 (ESV)
“Behold, we are slaves today,
And as to the land which You gave to our fathers to eat of its fruit and its bounty,
Behold, we are slaves in it.
“Its abundant produce is for the kings
Whom You have set over us because of our sins;
They also rule over our bodies
And over our cattle as they please,
So we are in great distress. The people correctly understand that their sin has made them slaves in the very land that God meant to be a place of blessing. Their healing comes as they confess their sins and get right with God. It reminds me just how deceitful and devastating sin is in our lives. Sin promises to free us and give us great things, but instead enslaves us and keeps us from the good things God has planned for us. Freedom can be found through confession and repentance. Is there any sin that you have been holding onto that has really been holding onto you? It has trapped you and enslaved you. Paul reminds us, “For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death” (Romans 6:20-21 ESV). The good news is you don’t have to stay trapped. Now that Christ has set you free, don’t go back and live like a slave. “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life” (Romans 6:22 ESV). In Nehemiah 8, as the people study the Law, they discover that they should celebrate the feast of booths. Just as sin traps, enslaves, and leads to death, obedience leads to freedom and joy. Nehemiah 8:17 (ESV)
And all the assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and lived in the booths, for from the days of Jeshua the son of Nun to that day the people of Israel had not done so. And there was very great rejoicing. —Pastor Dave ————————————————————————————————— What’s Happening at Gospel Life:Youth Group: All youth are invited this Sunday, October 26th, from 5-7 pm, to the Bronleewes’ house. We’ll have dinner, games, worship, and continue our study, “James: Faith Lived Out.”Outreach at the Bronleewes’ House: Join us on October 31st from 5:30 – 8 pm at the Bronleewes’ house for an outreach to their neighbors. We will be handing out Gospel bracelets, candy, apple cider, hot cocoa, and chili to people in the neighborhood. If you would be willing to come serve or donate candy or food, it will be really appreciated. We will be collecting the items this Sunday. You can sign up to donate items here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054CA4AD2CA3FF2-59713971-fall#/
Men’s Hike in Cascade: Guys, it’s almost time again for our annual fall hike. Here’s the plan so far. Your input is welcome. When: Sat., Nov. 1; 8 am – 5 pm Where: Blue Lake, Cascade Dress: coats, gloves, hiking shoes/boots Transportation & fellowship: Meet at Pastor Dave’s house at 8 am to carpool; back to cars by 5 or 5:30 pm Hike: 1.7 miles, elevation change – approx. 400 feet (~2 hrs including rest time) Food & fellowship: Bring snacks to share; late lunch after the hike – burgers (probably) or pizza (less likely), graciously provided by the Drury family (~1 hr) Topic: “God’s driving passion – Am I on board?” We as believers enjoy tremendous blessings in Christ. But are we blessed just to be blessed? We’re going to talk about God’s passion for His glory in the nations and consider how we can join Him in His work. The hike to Blue Lake from the Blue Lake trailhead near Cascade, Idaho is not mostly flat; it is a short but steep and rocky hike. While the descent to the lake is relatively easy, the return journey involves a significant climb back up, and the trail is described as rugged and uneven with a gradual decline in the middle. - Elevation change: The hike to the lake involves a descent of about 400 feet.
- Terrain: The trail is rocky, with the steepest sections at the beginning and end.
- Footwear and gear: Sturdy footwear is recommended, and some hikers find hiking poles helpful, especially for the climb back up.
- Difficulty: It’s often rated as easy to moderate, but the climb back up requires saving energy.
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