The God Who Blesses + Ray Ortlund Tonight!
From the beginning, the heart of our heavenly Father is to bless and not to curse.
“So God created man in his own image . . . and God blessed them” (Genesis 1:27-28).
From the beginning, the heart of our heavenly Father is to bless and not to curse. Adam and Eve do not begin on parole. God’s blessing is the given in every Edenic equation. If they are to discover God’s wrath, they must wade through God’s blessing to find it. They must drive Him to anger. The anger of God must be provoked, but blessing is His natural reflex toward creation.
If that was true of God's heart towards the first creation, how much more toward the new creation, which Jesus the Son of God inaugurated at the cross? There is more gained in Christ than lost in Adam—more purchased at Calvary than forfeited in Eden. We must, therefore, begin our planning today from the assurance of God’s blessing. It is our re-birth right!
Father, you take joy and delight in blessing your children. We never have to overcome some reluctance in you, but you are eager to see our hearts filled with your joy and peace. Thank you that there is more grace in you than there is sin in us and that Christ gained more for us than what Adam forfeited in the garden. Hallelujah, what a Savior!
Ray Ortlund Tonight in Sadler Chapel (Last Wed. Night Before Summer Break)
Adults - Join us tonight at 6:30 pm in the SADLER CHAPEL as Dr. Ray Ortlund answers the question: How to go back to God? Please come to Sadler from the steps on 44th Avenue. This is our final Wednesday night gathering before the summer break. We’ll continue gathering again in August!
City Groups - Students are encouraged to join us tonight in the gym for City Groups! Doors open at 6 pm, Bible study starts at 6:45 pm, and will wrap up by 7:45 pm. This is our student ministry’s final Wednesday night gathering before the summer break. We’ll continue gathering again in August!
iKids Midweek - Wednesday night classes are open for ages two and up. We would love to have your kids join us for Bible study and scripture memorization tonight from 6:15-7:30 pm! This is our iKid’s ministry’s final Wednesday night gathering before the summer break. We’ll continue gathering again in August!
Thank you TJ!