RECAP: ASK ALREADY based on Matthew 7:7-12
Who do we believe God to be? Sometimes, we have incorrect beliefs or misconceptions about God. We might think God is a judge, and as a result, constantly live our lives under a watchful eye. Or we might view God as disinterested, believing that God doesn’t care about us. Or we might believe God is only “love” as defined by this world, and so there is no attempt to live in holiness. In our world, many have no room for God, just believing him to be a figment of our imagination. Without God, there is no hope. How many live without hope today?
What we truly believe about God will manifest itself in how we live. Jesus understood this as well. When he came to this earth, the people of God believed that God was completely unattainable unless you were one of the elect or righteous leadership. But Jesus demolished that misconception, showing us that all can access God and that we can approach the throne of grace with confidence! What does Jesus want us to understand?
- God gives to those who ask. God’s ear is always listening. Even if it seems like God is not listening or doesn’t care, he is listening and does care. Rather, he wants us to continue to ask, so he can continue to show his faithfulness. God never turns away from the one asking for help. The answer might not be what we want, but he will answer.
- God can be found by those who seek. We don’t have to remain lost in a sea of despair and hopelessness; if we reach out, God will find us! Even when we are in the pit, he will rescue us and bring us out! Will we seek first the kingdom of God? Nothing else will satisfy.
- God can open closed doors. Sometimes, a door is closed for a reason. It does not mean that God has closed every door, but those that lead to destruction. We sometimes end in trouble when we push our way through a closed door! Instead, humble yourself and wait for the open door. When it comes, walk through the door that God has opened.
- God can be trusted. We are conditioned today to trust no one, as well as to reject authority. But as a parent cares for the well-being of their children, God cares for us. That capacity to care comes from God in the first place! God will give us what we need to thrive. His path is good and leads to the path of life.
- God gives us what is good. God is actively working on our behalf. Even when it seems like our world is falling apart, God has a way of taking the brokenness and pain and bringing restoration in the midst of it.
What do we believe about God? God can be trusted. Ask. Seek. Knock. Trust. Live. See what God can do!
Questions for Reflection
1) What misconception of God do you personally struggle with?
2) Do you regularly ask God to meet your needs? Why or why not?
3) What do you seek or strive after above all else? Where is God in the equation?
4) Do you trust God? Why or why not?
5) What closed door do you need to be opened? Pray that God can show you the open door.
Upcoming Service
This Sunday, Pastor Ryan will continue the study in the discipline of guidance with the sermon titled, “God Given GPS”, based on John 16:1-15. Who did the Lord send us as a guide? And how can we listen to that guidance? Come or tune in Sunday to find out!
Daily Bible Readings for May 16 – 22
May 16: Numbers 14 How did the nation respond to the spies? To Joshua & Caleb? To the Lord?
May 17: Numbers 22:21-41 What guidance did a donkey give Balaam? The angel? Did he listen?
May 18: Deuteronomy 6 What guidance did Moses give the nation in his farewell address? Did they listen?
May 19: Judges 7 What guidance did the Lord give to Gideon? Did he listen?
May 20: Judges 13 What guidance did an angel give Manoah and his wife? Did they listen?
May 21: Judges 16 What guidance did Samson provide Delilah? Did she listen? What was the cost?
May 22: Ruth 3 What guidance did Naomi give to Ruth? What was the result?
This Week’s Events:
Thursday, May 18–Leadership Team Meeting @ 7 pm
Sunday, May 21–Children’s Church Meeting after church
Upcoming Events:
Sunday, May 28–Instachoir Picnic @ 5 pm
Summer hours return June 4. First Sunday breakfast 8:45, Sunday School 9:15, Worship 10:30.
Sunday, June 4–New Bible Study begins
Saturday, June 17–Father/Son Dinner, 5 pm
Sunday, June 18–Graduation Recognition Sunday
Sunday, June 25–Outdoor Worship
Sunday, June 25–Summer Vespers @ 6 pm
Announcements:
Guidance– Spiritual Discipline Challenge
This week, you are going to develop a prayer list. In the first column, write down the names of individuals that have specific needs. You can use the prayer list below as a launching point! In the second column, write down specific needs that you yourself have, or questions that you are waiting to have answered. In the final column, write down specific wants. Then, take time each day to go through your list and ask God to work in each of the columns. When God answers, or a need is met, record the date.
Graduate Recognition
We will be honoring our graduates on Sunday, June 18. If you have a graduate, please contact the church office so we can make sure they are recognized and honored. We are aware of six graduates already. We also are asking for a photo of each graduate to be submitted to the office.
BIRTHDAYS NEEDED!
If you are a newer attendee at Beaver Creek, please call the office or leave in the offering plate your birth date so we do not miss anyone!
Call for Worship Leaders and Children’s Story
We are in need of both worship leaders and children’s storytellers. If you would like to serve, contact Alice Over (worship leading) or Phyllis Simmons (children’s story).
Extraordinary Women’s Conference
This is an opportunity for the ladies of the church. The Extraordinary Women’s Conference returns to Lynchburg this year on October 13-14! Some of the speakers include Tim Tebow, Mandisa, Julie Clinton, Hannah Keeley, and others, with a concert from Big Daddy Weave and worship led by Michael O’Brien. The cost is $64 for basic and $84 for gold as long as you register by March 31. The Fidelis class really would like to see if we can get a group of women together to go. If you are interested, please contact the church office. If there is a large enough group, there can potentially be a discounted group rate.
New Bible Study!
During the Summer months of June, July, and August, we will be doing a new study based on Jennie Allen’s book “Get Out of Your Head.” Do you want to recognize the toxic spirals in your life that leave you feeling far away from God? Do you want to be equipped in how to win the battle in your mind and draw closer to Christ? Then this short study will be good for you!
We are still working on the details as far as time. If you are interested in possibly joining this study, please either call the office, or let Lynne Lent or Bill Wood know so we have an idea of how many books to order. Child care will be provided.
Call to Prayer
Let us continue to pray for our nation in the following ways:
1) National return to God
2) Repentance of personal sin
3) Repentance of corporate sin
4) Healing for the brokenness of relationships
5) Our leaders
6) Revival
7) Guidance for our congregation in the days ahead
Idea Box!
What do you want to see at Beaver Creek? What are some ideas you have for the long-term growth of our congregation? Any outrageous outreach ideas? Please either email Pastor Ryan or write them down and place them in the brown suggestion box in the narthex. Dream big!
Nursery
The Christian Education Team is looking for six to eight volunteers for the nursery during the Sunday School hour and church hour. There will be a signup sheet in the back. If you would be willing to volunteer to allow our families to be able to participate in worship, please let one of the members of Christian Education know (Theresa Eckard, Scott McAvoy, Becky Whitmore), or sign up on the signup sheet!
Children’s Church & Meeting
The Christian Education team would like to relaunch children’s church for our kids, as well as for the kids in our community without a church home. To be successful, we need six to eight volunteers who would be willing to give up one Sunday either a month or every other month to minister to our children. If you are interested, please let one of Christian Education know, email the church office, or sign up on the sign-up sheet on Sunday.
The hope is that as we build our children’s ministry, more young families will want to participate in the church.
There will be a meeting after church for interested volunteers on Sunday, May 21. This will be an opportunity to share thoughts and ideas, as well as to hear from the Christian Education Team the hope for children’s church.
Sight & Sound Interest
The Fidelis class is looking at sponsoring a church-wide trip to Sight & Sound in 2024. But before the class can investigate bus prices and total cost, we want to gauge the true interest in the church. If you are interested and would like to be considered for this one-day event next year, please contact the office or let Pastor Ryan know in the next few weeks.
Graduation Party Invitation
On Saturday, May 27 we will celebrate Samantha Cooper’s graduation from high school. The whole church is invited! The party will take place from 11 am – 2 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Please RSVP to Pastor Ryan for food purposes.
Four Ways to Give!
1) Mail your tithe into the church office
2) Drop it by the church office on Tuesday, Thursday or Friday, 9 am – 1 pm
3) Our online giving platform: https://beavercreekchurchva.churchcenter.com/giving
4) Drop off in the offering plate on Sunday!
Prayer Needs
Continue to Keep in Prayer our members in Skilled Care Facilities: Mary G Miller, Shirley Miller & Carolyn Wine
Eddie Baker (health)
Terri Burkholder (health)
Deanne Dastoli (health)
Patsy Dastoli (health)
Elijah Tucker Dean (health)
Natalie Dodge (health)
John Fix (addiction)
Cindy Heatwole (health)
Bob Hess (health)
Tori Jackson (peace)
Darlene LaPrade (health)
Lynne Lent (health)
Alma Long (health & recovery)
Mark Martin (health)
Barbara Meadows (health)
Betty Miller (health)
Norlen Miller (health)
Mary G Miller (health)
Mary M Miller (health)
Savannah Miller (health)
Tami Plaugher (health)
Ann Simmons (health)
Crystal Smith (health)
Whitmore family (house)
Mary Whitmore (health)
Jeff Wilbur (health)
Cindy Wittig (recovery)
Shelvy Wittig (health)
Pastor Ryan Cooper
Beaver Creek Church