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kindred ministry update
Hello from the Kindred adults of JFBelievers Church. Who are After that, we break into small groups and hit the town with
we? We are a spiritual family of brothers in sisters within the posters advertising our 10AM Sunday Morning Services on The CW
church, who love each other, encourage each other, and are TV station. To date, we’ve covered Menomonie, Eau Claire,
accountable to each other, while we seek to impact the world Altoona, Nelson, Wabasha, and Alma. This month we hope to hit
around us. That’s who we are and why we are here. So… what Chippewa Falls (which will no doubt include a stop at Olsen’s Ice
have we been up to lately? Glad you asked… Cream shop).
One of our regular activities is our Sunday afternoon Bible Lastly, about once a month we’ve begun to meet with a Core
Study Recaps. This is where we bring our notes from the Sunday Group of Kindred adults to address the vision and discipleship of
Bible Study and discuss together how it impacted us personally. It our entire Kindred family. This group consists of active disciples
is good to verbalize what we are hearing and get feedback, within the group who have volunteered themselves for greater
encouragement, and accountability from one another. During the responsibility over and accountability to the Kindred adults. Our
summer, we hold these at local parks, or around a fire, or hope is that these disciples will help lift others up into a more
someplace that serves up ice cream. We may be adults, but we committed walk with Jesus and each other. This is a relatively new
still scream for ice cream! group, so we are excited to see where it goes in the future!
We are also enjoying road trips and impacting the If you are interested in finding out more about the Kindred
communities around us with our Sunday Drives. About once a adults of JFBelievers Church, email us at kindred@jfbelievers.com.
month, right after church we all jump in the church van and head We’d love to get to know you and would welcome you to our
to a nearby community. Our first agenda is eating together as a spiritual family of brothers and sisters. Hope to see you soon!
group. Recently we’ve eaten at Eau Claire’s Pizza Ranch and
Nelson’s J&J BBQ (both are highly recommended for large groups).
A Way That Leads To 4. GLUTTONY
I love how much of creation is edible. Eating and drinking
Death should be done to the glory of God, so in a moment, stuffing your
face until you feel sick may feel like a harmless enjoyment of the
One of the biggest spiritual dangers that Christians experience good things that God intended for us to enjoy. But such logic is
on this side of eternity is death masquerading as life. The enemy
delusional. The Bible warns that if your belly is your god, it will lead
will promise life, but what it actually results in is death. It was the to destruction (Philippians 3:19), and drunkenness to debauchery
lie that tricked Adam and Eve, and frustratingly, our sinful hearts
(Ephesians 5:18).
continue to fall for the false promises. That's why we need to Lest you be discouraged or confused, God doesn't just write
remind ourselves daily of the warning in Proverbs 14:12 - "There is up a prohibited list and wait for us to violate it. No, he offers us a
a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death." life-giving alternative to the empty promises of the world: himself!
Here are four everyday temptations that appear life-giving but (Ephesians 5:18, for example, tells us to be filled with the Holy
will ruin us. Spirit instead of wine.)
1. INDIVIDUALISM
You see, there is a better, richer, and more satisfying life to be
You see this foolishness at every age, from toddlers to teens to found in Christ. There are delights to be known that will transcend
grown adults. Human beings were never created to live life on
anything the world could ever offer.
their own, without authority from God and wisdom from others.
To conclude, I want you to worship your way through the first
While the draw to be self-ruled is very appealing and deceptively three verses of Isaiah 55:
life-giving, the biblical promise for a long and successful life is to Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has
those who obey their parents (Exodus 20:12) and who surround no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without
themselves with wise counsel (Proverbs 15:22).
2. LUST money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that
which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Adultery, whether fully physical or momentarily emotional,
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight
feels life-giving to the sinful soul. It invigorates the senses and
makes us feel full, for a moment. Proverbs 5:3-6 says that what is yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that
your soul may live.
sexually forbidden "drips honey and is smoother than oil." But in
the end, sex outside of God's beautiful design is as "bitter as God bless, -Paul Tripp
wormwood and sharp as a two-edged sword and follows the path
to Sheol."
3. MATERIALISM
Possessions are marketed to us as if they have the power to
give life, and because they can be seen and touched, we can feel it.
Surround yourself with fine things that indulge the senses and
make others envious, and you'll experience momentary delight. All
the while, materialism robs of us life because created things can
never satisfy the soul.
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