The memory verse for the church family for the 1st quarter is:
When the Lord your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers… a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, 11 houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant — then when you eat and are satisfied, 12 be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
Deuteronomy 6:10—12
The reason I felt the Lord highlight this verse to the church family is because I had a conviction that our greatest challenge in 2024 will be complacency. We have seen the favour of God over this church family and our lives, and we are doing OK. But OK can be a dangerous place to be in — it is what the Scriptures call, “luke-warm”. In seeking the Lord on how to combat this complacency, one of the ways is to BE CAREFUL that you do not forget the Lord.
I have a tremendous privilege to stand before you as the lead pastor of this church, as the president and steward of 4 franchises, a father of 4 — an amazing place of blessing and favour. But the Lord reminded me to BE CAREFUL that you do not forget that the Lord saved you from the hands of Satan, from addiction.
Ryan Seow is another step closer becoming a PHD — a Dr! He is a pastor of this church family, father of 2, new homeowner in Etobicoke — an amazing place of blessing and favour. But the Lord reminds us to BE CAREFUL that you do not forget that the Lord saved you from the days of struggling at UofT.
LifeSpring, you have been gifted with so many children, strong finances, people who love God and care for others, the presence of God, a spirit of generosity, and the greatest pastoral team in the world! But BE CAREFUL that you do not forget that the Lord saved you from a church split, an exodus, and a simple religion.
Now, insert your name and do yourself! You are blessed and you are favoured, but BE CAREFUL that you do not forget that the Lord saved you from ________________.
Make every effort to memorize this passage. It will remind you daily of the goodness of God, and with the goodness of God as a firm foundation, patient endurance is possible.