Pastor’s Note
“I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.
Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.
One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.
On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness.”
-Psalms 145
A Prayerful Response: “O Lord, eternal King, lead us through moments of vision to a continuing faith in your kingdom, that every day we may bless you and, through all we do and are, pour out the story of your abundant kindness.”
-John Easton
Dear Southwood,
The Westminster Shorter Catechism explains providence as God’s “most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures and all their actions.” If you reflect for a moment on the most appropriate responses to God’s providence in our lives, three basic responses emerge in the heart of a believer: worship, witness, and work.
While considering all God’s hand of providence is doing in and through Southwood, I can’t help but start singing, “How great is our God, sing with me, how great is our God!” Truly, worship is the heart’s first response to God’s faithfulness displayed in the ways he preserves and governs his church as our holy, wise, and powerful King.
When we’re moved by the wonders of God’s work and respond in praise, thanksgiving, and adoration, most people notice and demand explanation. The reasons for our joy are best answered as we bear witness to our neighbor about the everyday kindness of God towards us in Jesus Christ. As said on Sunday by Rev. Justin Huston, we simply point upwards to Christ and give him the credit and the glory.
Lastly, when we take the time to recognize God’s providence at work all around us, we’re inspired to a fuller devotion of love and good deeds. Understanding God’s providence in our everyday lives makes us want to be actively engaged in Kingdom advancement. Isn’t the natural response of a child to want to work right alongside his Father? So we too, out of love and admiration for our Father, are motivated to abide with Him, furthering his will on earth just as it is in heaven.
As you read through this edition of Branches, you will be exposed to a “Parade of Providence” going on in the life of our church. As you meditate on God’s wondrous works, may you be led by the Spirit to offer a sacrifice of praise. As you commend His works to others, may you present yourselves anew and afresh as living sacrifices. As we speak of the might of His awesome deeds, may we together become the fragrant aroma of Christ as a church in the community for the community.
For Christ and His Kingdom,
Ken Leggett
Interim Pastor