How Deep is Your Spiritual Hunger?

Dear Nokesville church family and friends, 

“As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God” (Psalm 42:1-2, NRSV). 

During the announcement time of the service last Sunday, I was surprised to be asked to come to the front. At first, I wondered whether I was needed to bless someone or something. Then, it turned out that our Prayer Shawl ladies had made a special stole for me and presented it to me. The stole was beautifully made from several different colors collected from all our Prayer Shawl Ministry Team members. I felt blessed to receive such a unique, prayer-bathed gift from my dear sisters in Christ. When I put it on, I felt like their praying hands touched my shoulders. My heart was ignited to proclaim the message with spiritual fervor. I would like to express my gratitude for the faithful ministry of our Prayer Shawl Ministry Team. I pray for God’s continued blessings and empowerment upon our sisters so that their prayer shawls may touch and strengthen others in need. 

This spring, when we had the churchwide Lenten study, we noticed spiritual hunger in our church family. Thankfully, some of our church members stepped up to provide Bible studies. Our sister Jenell is currently leading a 6-week Women’s Bible Study on the book of James on Wednesdays at 7pm. Our brother Luke will lead a 30-week online Men’s Bible Study Fellowship on the book of Romans on Mondays at 7pm, beginning in September. This summer, we will explore the spiritual disciplines – especially, prayer, fasting, simplicity, service, confession, and worship. I hope that many of us will actively participate in Bible studies, paying attention to the spiritual disciplines, so that we may grow together to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Jesus Christ.

Last Sunday, as we celebrated our nation’s 250th anniversary, we revisited our important call to be spiritual watchmen. You can watch it at Sermons | Nokesville Methodist Church – Bible Teaching in Nokesville VA. This Sunday, July 12, as we begin a new sermon series, “Spiritual Disciplines,” we will explore what we really thirst for (Psalm 42:1-2, Galatians 6:7-9). I hope to see you all soon on the Lord’s day.