Since moving into the new space at 184 Broad I have noticed that our Sunday gatherings have been crowned with the presence of God. Theologically we know that God is everywhere and always present. God is always at Ren on Sundays. But as imperfect humans we experience varying degrees of awareness of Him. So what I'm saying is that there seems to be more and more of an awakening to the reality of God each week. There is a momentum building and each service seems to take us deeper into God's heart. It's very exciting and an answer to many years of praying.
While our gatherings have been strong lately it doesn't mean we should let up in the pursuit of Christ. It's kind of like in sports when a team is winning they are sometimes tempted to start slacking. Let's not do that. I believe that what we are experiencing is just the beginning.
Summertime in Rhode Island is really wonderful right? Yes. I personally love it. I love being near the ocean and enjoying all the beauty everywhere and I love just spending time with friends and family and eating delicious meals. I love going on little adventures with my family. I plan on making this the best summer ever!
But I also feel compelled to be careful how I distribute my time. I want to spend my summer in a way that honors Christ and puts Him first. I want the mission of knowing God and making Him known to be thread through everything I do. I don't want to waste the summer of 2015!!!
I say this to encourage you to set priorities this summer. Don't try to do 1000 things. Choose carefully what you give your time, energy, money and heart to. Put your best efforts into getting closer to God and learning His Word and building the local church. Store your treasures in heaven. Live for eternity. Seek the kingdom of God.
That said, let's make every effort to make every Ren gathering the best it can be and to serve one another in love however we can. I want to urge us to bathe our gatherings in prayer. Be praying constantly for one another. Be crying out daily for the preachers, teachers and leaders. Come out on Wednesdays 7pm and Sundays 9am pre-service for unified prayer. Let's not let up in the great fight for the souls of people!!!
–Pastor Scott A.