GBC Community Update: God desires to develop the character already in us

Good morning. I hope you’re making this a great week!  Have you read any good books lately?  Pastor Dan mentioned several on Sunday in his message, but I wanted to remind you we have an AMAZING library with a wide range of books in the Side Auditorium and ANOTHER amazing kid’s library upstairs in the Children’s Ministry Wing. Why not grab a book, go outside and enjoy the opportunity to grow in faith in God’s creation?
 
 
Giving Update from our treasurer
Here is an update from our treasurer Ken Finlay on our year-to-date giving. Praise God for his provision and for your generosity. Thanks to those who have supported us in this tangible way so far this year, I really appreciate it.
General Fund Offerings - Year to Date end of April 2023
Budget       $61,940
Actual          62,339
Surplus             399
(The Budget & Actuals above exclude contributions to the Pastor Fund)
 
Pastor Fund
Goal                                 $65,000
Contributions to date         41,550  (incl. $27,550 contributed in 2022)
Still to be raised                 23,450
 
 
Join us on Sunday in-person or on our livestream as we return to our series, “Firm Foundations”-a study of the book of Romans
The foundation of a building is critically important for the stability of the structure that sits on it. In many ways our faith and relationship with God needs the same thing.  How is your foundation? We continue to look at this idea as we study the book of Romans, perhaps the best book of the New Testament for this kind of thing. 
This Sunday I will be looking at what it means to be transformed through our relationship with God.
Want to prepare? Read the text for Sunday ahead of time: Romans 12:1-2.
If you can’t make it you can connect through our website:  
www.guelphbiblechapel.ca  our YouTube channel as well as Facebook LIVE.
 
 
Thought for the Day: God desires to develop the character already in us
It’s God’s purpose to develop the character within that He’s already planted in us. We read in Proverbs 17: “The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart”. Godly character is the result of the Holy Spirit’s work of sanctification in every believer. Character, then, in the believer is a consistent manifestation of Jesus in his life. It’s the purity of heart that God gives becoming purity in action. God sometimes uses trials to strengthen character.  The Bible says: “we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope”. God is pleased when His children grow in character.  We read in the Psalms “you test the heart and are pleased with integrity”.  God loves when we grow in character!
While its there to be developed and God helps us through the Holy Spirit, we still need to work to develop it. With that in mind, here’s our next tip:
Learn! 
Once you become more devoted to Jesus, things should become different.  I still remember that vividly in my own life.  Christian musician Steven Curtis Chapman says, "What about the difference? What about the change? What about forgiveness? What about a life that's showing I'm undergoing a change?"
In order to see that change take root we need to learn. We learn about God, about his character, his desires for us and what Godly character looks like. We can do that through doing a Bible study, being part of a small group or reading Christian literature. A great resource we have at GBC is our libraries.  We have an adult library in the Side Auditorium with amazing resources and an excellent children’s library upstairs in our Kid’s Ministry Wing (hey, didn’t I read that somewhere recently?!?). Why not check out some books and use some of your time to learn?  When you do, you can’t help but develop in character!
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris