Hello Faith Family,
Thank you all for the “get well” wishes and check-ins this past weekend. It was an interesting Saturday, but it seems the stomach bug has made its way through the Martin household and is bothering someone else now.
Though I missed most of DNow due to the illness, I was overjoyed to see all the work Clayton, Lauren, Sam, and so many others put into the weekend. THANK YOU to all the volunteers who opened their homes for our students, Ben for leading the large gatherings, those who drove the students around all weekend, and those who were leaders for each group. You are all a wonderful blessing to First Hewitt, and I know the students would express their highest thanks for the time you gave.
SORRY, but I want to brag on my Life Group for a moment. We are currently in week 4 of our Rooted study and I have never been more excited for us to meet each week to discuss how God is working in us through this study. The entire group has been committed to this study and continues to engage with each other as we dive deeper into the revelations that come from our time together. I am excited for others to experience what we have and invite you to join one of our Life Groups if not already committed to one.
I had many ideas of what to include in this article, but given the events of today, I feel it is best for us to recognize the dire need for prayer over the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. What happened today is a reminder of the fallen state we find our world wallowing in every day. I wish it was not so, but the truth is that we live in a fallen world that needs to redemptive grace of Jesus Christ. One revelation Kim and I have experienced this week from the Rooted study comes from Isaiah 41 which says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 (my own emphasis). Do you notice who is acting in this passage? God…. The temptation in this moment is for us to become enraged by what we see in the news, calling on our own righteous justice to make it all right, but we cannot. Our only power in this moment is to pray. We must pray, for God is the only one who can bring healing and peace to this world and in His faithfulness, he will bring peace. How do we join in His work? We must pray.
Faith family…, you are loved. You are appreciated and you are His. Above all else, know that you are His and nothing can change that.
Blessings.
Brandon Martin
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