GBC Community Update: Focus on the positive

Good morning!  Fall is officially here. The leaves are starting to turn and you can really feel the season. As I’ve said before, I like the changes and this is one of my favorite times of year.  For me, its always important to seize the moments that God gives us and find the joy that is within.
 
 
Oasis@Midweek starts tomorrow
Oasis@Midweek for this season is starting up again tomorrow with a special celebration.  We will have a pizza supper starting at 6pm and go on from there as we celebrate camp and are reminded of what it means to be STELLAR.  This event is for kids JK to grade 6 who are invited to join us from 6:30pm to 8pm for an Oasis Camp themed evening of music, games, life lesson and this week our youth group leads which means our popular drama.  O@M is not just for those who went to camp but for all who would like to learn how to ‘shine Jesus light’ and be STELLAR.
 
 
GBC October calendar is here
Our October church calendar is out. You can pick one up in the auditorium. There are also hard copies at the back of the auditorium. This is not just to see what’s going on but also can be used as a prayer guide so we can pray for what’s happening here at GBC.
 
 
Thought for the day: Focus on the positive
Like the faithful people of old, we should focus beyond this fearful world on the positive future God has in store. We can also meditate on and appreciate the comfort and peace God gives now.
Paul directed our thinking toward the positive in Philippians 4: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Later in the scriptures he reminded us to rejoice always and gives thanks in everything.
Here's a positive take on fear from the scriptures: “perfect love casts out fear”.  As a result, fear is conquered. John summed up the ultimate goal this way: “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear”.
We can go to God with our fears. We can seek more of His Spirit. We can grow in faith in His ability to defeat anything that threatens us. We can find comfort and security in His loving care.  The fear and loathing of this age will be replaced with love and rejoicing forevermore.  What a great thought to carry us through the day.
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris