Summertime

In Solomon’s blessing of the Assembly, he said the following:
57 “May the Lord our God be with us as he was with our ancestors; may he never leave us nor forsake us. 58 May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in obedience to him and keep the commands, decrees and laws he gave our ancestors. 59 And may these words of mine, which I have prayed before the Lord, be near to the Lord our God day and night, that he may uphold the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel according to each day’s need, 60 so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God and that there is no other. 61 And may your hearts be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time.” I Kings 8:57-61.
This prayer of Solomon comes following the dedication of the Temple. It is a beautiful, eloquent, and wise prayer for the people.  First notice that Solomon refers to the assembly as US. He was one of them.  He was not singling out the assembly without saying, I as well need this admonishment in my life.  As a pastor, trust me when I preach the Word of God it is as much for me as it is for the congregation.  Solomon was saying we are all in this to build together!
Summer of 2024 is upon us.  Though the actual beginning of summer runs from June 20th until September 22nd, we all realize when school lets out, it’s summertime!  The change of seasons brings about a change of wardrobe, schedules, even interactions.  It also can impact the local church as well.  We now are turning our attention to Vacation Bible School, Youth Camp, and mission trip just to name a few events.  The summer mode of church is upon us as we build together!
It is a reminder to us that your presence in church is encouraging and needed during the summer months as well.  It encourages others and it edifies one another.  Likewise, you may not realize it, but you need that consistency in your life as much as possible even in the change of season.  Summertime is not a time to relax your faith, it is a time to grow it! May I encourage you to heed the words of Solomon. “And may your hearts be fully committed to the Lord our God…”
My prayer for FBC this summer is that we will stay the course.  Keep growing in the Lord and serving His Kingdom whenever possible.  Vacations and rest are necessary for people, and I pray you enjoy those times.  But the church must carry on even in the summer. Thank you for being so faithful in attendance, in serving, and in giving.  Those things matter greatly to the church in the summertime.
Yes, the seasons do change but God does not change.  “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8. We all realize summertime is a more relaxed atmosphere of life.  But be on your guard not to relax your faith!  Make it a matter of prayer that you will personally do all that you can do to grow in the Lord this summer.  It will encourage you personally and impact your church family.  When you are faithful to the Lord it truly refreshes those around you.  
Solomon said, “Like the cold of snow in time of harvest (summer) Is a faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters” Proverbs 25:13.

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