Life@Eaglebrook ----------- ------------ January 26th, 2021
Control.
As Pastor Steve shared with us this past Sunday, there is a huge difference between a religious approach towards the trials that we face in life, and the response that is defined by true faith. As James begins his letter to a group of early Christians, he makes the crazy claim that we should rejoice over all of the various hardships that we are confronted with. But why would anyone rejoice over having to endure hardships? Has James lost his mind?

Hardships Are Unavoidable.

No one enjoys hardships. But as we live in this broken world, they often seem to be unavoidable. Bad things happen. And, because such bad things seem can happen at any time, we also tend to live in fear. And the only way to alleviate this fear is to gain some kind of control over our circumstances. This is where religion usually comes in.

Religion Is About Control.

A religious mindset is one that believes that, if we can only do all the right things, and obey all the right rules, then God will bless us. And so, as long as we do our part, this will give us the control that we seek, and should protect us from having to face any difficulties. But, contrary to our expectations, we do not get to control God through our obedience. This is not how our relationship with God works.

Faith Is About Relinquishing Control.

God cannot be controlled. His blessings are not dispensed on the basis of our rule-keeping or through our religious activity. God just blesses. Through Jesus Christ, God has displayed to the world the scope of His love, and now He invites everyone to simply trust in that love. In fear, we might attempt to control God through religion… but God desires to displace our fear with His love. If we can only begin to catch a glimpse of the goodness of God, we will begin to trust Him… and if we can begin to trust Him, we will no longer feel the need to have control.

Why We Rejoice In Suffering.

James say we can rejoice, even over our hardships, because it is as we go through suffering that we begin to see how the character of God is already being shaped in us. And as we begin to see that God’s renewing work is already happening in us, even in the trials of life, we can be certain that God will complete that work of renewal, which assures us that any trial we might currently face is only temporary. 

So, may we see that our hardships reveal the work of God in us. May we see that New Creation is coming. In fact, may we see that New Creation has already begun in us, here and now. And because of that, may we rejoice.

May we walk in the Image of God this week!
Arnie
Let's Grow!
True Faith... Not Useless Religion
James 1:1-4

Sunday Services - Indoors and Online!

We are continuing to provide our have our Sunday Worship Services both online and inside the building!  

For those who choose to come and worship in-person with us on Sunday Mornings, these indoor services will be very similar to the services we were having outdoors over the summer:   

  •  We will be encouraging safe social-distancing.
  •  We are asking you to bring your own chairs.
  •  We will be requiring the use of face-masks.
  •  We will be encouraging the use of hand-sanitizer.
  •  There will be no Nursery or Children's Ministries.

However, indoor bathrooms will now be available for use. The building will be professionally cleaned each week, giving you the peace of mind that our space is as safe as it can possibly be during this time.
If you are comfortable with gathering at this time, 
please come out and join us!

Otherwise, check us out online!
Eaglebrook Church
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Location:
1025 Margaret Street, Woodruff, WI 54568 

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 144 
Woodruff, WI 54568
 
Phone:
715-356-3313
Want to give to Eaglebrook Church?

You can do so online!
New Dawn Baby Bottle Fund-Raiser
Due to Covid-19, the Baby Bottle Fund-Raiser for the New Dawn Pregnancy Resource Center will look a little different this year. Instead of having individual baby bottles that you can bring home with you, we are asking that donations either be brought in-person to our Worship Service on Sunday Morning and be placed in the designated container, or that donations be made online directly to New Dawn, using the link below.
To donate online go to: www.ndprcfriends.com

Thank you for supporting LIFE!!!
Facebook Live Event This Week
If you are not comfortable meeting indoors at this time, then please join us this coming Sunday at 10:00am for our next Facebook Live Event... 

Sunday Worship
Facebook Live at 10:00am

There will also be a pre-recorded teaching video posted on Sunday Morning, which can be viewed using the links below.
Next Elder Board Meeting
The next Elder Meeting is scheduled for:

Monday, February 8th at 6:30pm

If you have any issues or concerns that you would like the Elder Board to discuss at the next meeting, please talk to any of the Elders.
Why So Serious?
If you come across an item that you would like to see featured in
future segments of "Why So Serious?", please email your
submission to arnie@eaglebrookminocqua.org
Scripture of the Week
Romans 5:1-5 (NIV) -- Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings , because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

I continue the questions I asked on Sunday. What is God teaching you lately? Are you listening? And... are you growing?

The letter of James will be one of those studies where we will all get uncomfortable at some point. But that is the point of submitting our lives to the scriptures right?

We do not want to come and just have what we already believe, affirmed and validated.

We are to come and to have every part of our lives ... put next to the way of Jesus, the gospel, the truth of the scriptures... and see what needs to change, and where we need to grow.

This week, we are reminded that as important as being "informed" can be... as valuable as knowledge can be at times... wisdom is far better... because wisdom shows us how to live.

Join us either in person or online next Sunday!!! I look forward to it.

I love being your pastor!
Steve
Eaglebrook Church --------- www.eaglebrookminocqua.org ---------- 715-356-3313