Pastor David Peacock

Jesus' CrossWords / Chili Cookoff

2012-02-15T10:10:00.001-08:00

Jesus' CrossWords

This Sunday I will begin a Sermon Series that will last until Easter called Jesus' CrossWords: "The Things Jesus Said on The Cross". Do you know how many statements Jesus made while He was on the Cross? Do you know what they were? Be here this Sunday and invite someone to join you as we consider the things Jesus said, why He said them, and what those statements mean for us today.

Chili Cook-off

Don't forget that our Chili Cook-off will be Sunday, February 29th following our morning service. Each pot of chili will have a cup beside it for donations to our Summer Mission Trip with Mission Amarillo on June 24-29. The chili that gets the most donations will be the winner. Let me know by this Sunday if you will be able to prepare some Chili.

So far here are our entries:

David Peacock
Larry Williams
Pauline Layland
Billie Holder
JoAnn Tarpley (Beans)
Jeremy Smith
Seth Richey

The money that Seth Richey earns will go towards helping send him to Chili (the country, not the food!) on a mission Trip with the IMB on June 16-23. He will be sharing more about his trip at the end of our service this Sunday. (I told Seth he can't actually win the Chili Cook-off considering some of us will place a donation into his cup whether we like his chili or not along with our donation to our favorite chili that will go towards our Church trip!)

For those who would like more information on our Mission Trip to Amarillo, we will have an interest meeting on Sunday, March 4th at 5:30. I will share more about the trip then and be able to get a better idea of who all is interested in going.

Logos Bible Software - Discount Code: RAF4375FRIEND

2012-02-13T10:53:00.001-08:00

The Bible Software program I use is the Logos Bible Software. It is actually both a Bible Program and a Christian Library that works on your computer, tablet, and phone as a study tool and eReader. Through Logos, you can build an library through the books that come with your initial purchase, future upgrades, purchases of individual books, free monthly books through logos.com, and free daily books through vyrso.com.

Logos.com has seven different levels for the base package of your initial purchase. You can actually even download their program to your computer and apps to your phone or tablet for free and begin taking advantage of their monthly and daily specials without purchasing the base package.

Here is the coupon code (15% discount) to use at checkout after you add a package to your cart: RAF4375FRIEND

If you have any questions, just let me know. I have been using Scholar’s Library (JG), and it is great!

One Verse Evangelism PowerPoint Presentation

2012-02-08T13:21:00.001-08:00

OneVerse.pptx Download this file

Plays for Good Friday and Easter Sunrise Services

2012-01-31T14:03:00.001-08:00

Here are links to the Scripts we will be using for the Easter Plays if you want to begin looking over them and letting me know which part you would like. I can also get you a printed version the next time I see you. Some of the Biblical characters are in both plays while some Biblical characters are in one or the other. If you want to be in both plays, choose a character that is in both - If you want to be in only one, choose a character that will only be in one.

Good Friday Service, 6:30pm - The Last Words

Easter Sunrise Service, 7:00am - The Empty Tomb

We will practice on Sundays at 4:45. Parts will need to be memorized but we will have the lines on the TV at the back of the church to help cue us as well.

I will need help with gathering costumes so let me know if you have any ideas. We will also need help working lights and running computers. We will use 2 different computers, one for Sanctuary Screen and one for the TV at the back to cue actors.

Characters

1. Narrator - Bro David in The Empty Tomb, Can be someone else in The Last Words

2. Caiaphas - Both Plays

3. Mary, the Mother of Jesus - Both

4. Joseph of Arimathea - Both

5. Mary Magdelene - The Empty Tomb only (We could have one person be Woman caught in Adultery, too)

6. John the Apostle - Both

7. Jarius' Daughter - The Empty Tomb only, preferably a teenager or even younger (6th-8th grader)

8. Woman Caught in Adultery - The Last Words only

9. Simon of Cyrene - The Last Words only

10. Woman at the Well - The Last Words only

11. Centurion - The Last Words only

John 21 - Quick Thoughts

2012-01-27T09:26:00.001-08:00

When life gets confusing, will you return to what's comfortable or move ahead inspite of the challenges towards God's calling on your life. - verse 3

Only the Lord can make us effective fishers of men. verse 6

Do you love Jesus? Then feed His sheep - love & care for others for His sake. Verse 17

Don't look are the calling of others to find yours. Do what Jesus has for you! Verse 22

Online Directory, Customizable Discipleship Studies, & Spiritual Gifts

2012-01-25T09:36:00.001-08:00

Hello Church Family!

I hope each of you are having a wonderful week and, as we talked about Sunday, you are carrying the Name of Jesus with you!

I want to share a few things with you:

Online Directory

I hope you have picked up a copy of the new church directory. If not, they are available in the church hallway. Also, Olan MIlls has set us up an online church directory for us. Unlike the printed directory, we can actually update the online version to correct the unfortunate typos and add additional pictures. If you were not able to be in the printed directory, email me a copy of a family picture with your correct address, email address and phone numbers, and I will add your information.

To view the church directory, visit our church website: www.fbclipan.net and click on the "Church Directory" link. You will be asked to enter a password which is "worshiping".

Customizable Discipleship Studies

This morning I signed our church up for a coupon code for a website that will help you develop customizable discipleship studies. You could develop studies to use for Sunday school classes, weekly discipleship studies, youth group, team kids, one on one mentoring relationship, family devotions, etc. The normal cost for a personal license for website is $50 a year but if you use our coupon code, "FBCLIPAN" - all caps, you will be able to purchase a license for $30. (If you purchase a personal license to develop discipleship studies for an ongoing ministry in our church, talk with me first and we may be able to reimburse you from that ministry's budget.) To learn more about the website visit: http://builder.downlineministries.com/ . Note: the website will only allow open pre-registration until Jan. 31, then I will only be able to invite 12 others to sign up.

Spiritual Gifts

On Sunday nights during February and March we going through a video study by Ken Hemphill called "Gifted to Service: Using your spiritual gifts with Passion and Purpose." I encourage you to make being part of this study a priority as it will encourage us to discover our spiritual gifts (all Christians have spiritual gifts) and use them for the glory of God and the good of others. Here will be our schedule:

February 5th - The Uncommon Work of the Spirit

February 12th - Business Meeting & Fellowship

February 19th - Created by the Master Designer

February 26th - Designed for Community

March 4th - Connecting with Community

March 11th - Business Meeting and Fellowship

March 18th - The Gifted Body Working Together

March 25th - Gifted to Serve

John Chapter Five

2012-01-06T11:07:00.001-08:00

Wait. For 38 years that is all I have done. Wait. Others, have seemed to experience the power of the waters. But, not me. I never will. With the slightest ripple those that can hobble can suddenly run and jump in. I can't even move. I'm brought here daily daily to beg but no one cares enough to stay with me just in case the waters are stirred. Of course I've had the occassisonal family members out of pity say they will wait with me but after a week or two they get tired of waiting and go about their daily business. Getting tired of waiting is not an option for me. It's all I can do. This is my entire life: brought here, lay on this pallet, tossed an occassional coin, and wait for the waters to move and for someone kind enough to pick me up and place me into the pool. I've decided that type of kindness must not exist.

---

"Excuse Me? Do I desire to be healed? Of course, I want to be healed but no one cares enough to.... Pick up my pallet?!? Sir, can't you see.... I feel something, my toes, my legs, I can move them. I can sit up! I can stand! I can walk! I can pick up my pallet!

---

"Ummmm.... I know I shoudn't be doing this but under the circumstances.... I'm not sure what his name was; I was too busy walking to catch it... Yes, you're right. I will be not do it again. And yes, He shouldn't have done that either. I'll be sure and let you know if I see him."

---

What right does he thing he has! Judge ME! He has no clue what I've been through! Tell ME to stop sinning! Something WORSE will happen to ME! Worse than waiting 38 years years by a stinking pool and pitiful people! Nothing could ever be worse than that! What's about to get worse is his life, not mine! "Oh, Pharisees!"

******************************************************************************

The gall of that man! He breaks God's laws then leads others astray.

I'm not sure we should even call him a man! Yet he addresses God as his Father, calling himself God's Son!

He "works" for God! No Way!

He can give people life and judge what other people do! Not a chance!

And to claim to deserve to be honored!?!

What was he thinking? Trying to teach US about the resurrection! We know about the resurrection!

[What resurrection! I don't beleive that stuff!

Yeah, and that's why you are "sad, you see!]

Then he says John proves who he is!

I agree, John is a nutcase too!

All his works do is prove he is of the devil!

And that stuff about Moses writing about HIm!

THIS MUST END!

John Capter Four

2012-01-06T10:16:00.001-08:00

---

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The gall of that man! He breaks God's laws then leads others astray.

I'm not sure we should even call him a man! Yet he addresses God as his Father, calling himself God's Son!

He "works" for God! No Way!

He can give people life and judge what other people do! Not a chance!

And to claim to deserve to be honored!?!

What was he thinking? Trying to teach US about the resurrection! We know about the resurrection!

[What resurrection! I don't beleive that stuff!

Yeah, and that's why you are "sad, you see!]

Then he says John proves who he is!

I agree, John is a nutcase too!

All his works do is prove he is of the devil!

And that stuff about Moses writing about HIm!

THIS MUST END!

John Chapter Four

2012-01-05T10:02:00.001-08:00

Separation. Barriers. Dividers.

Crossed.

The Creator like His creation tires. The Holy One interacts with the immoral one. The Jew engages the Samaritan. The Man speaks publicly with the woman. Separation. Barriers. Dividers.

Crossed.

Because of the cross.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The bucket will never bring her the water she needs for the well does not contain it. Her soul is thirsty. Each one has promised to cherish her. Each one has lied. It no longer seems to matter anymore. Now she hides the deep longings of her heart with the deep secrets of her past.

Approaching her destination, the Stranger speaks. This conversation, for so many reasons, should not be happening. But it is. He speaks with a knowledge of her heart that she herself does not even have. The water she came to get seems so unimportant in light of the Water of which He speaks. Her life is exposed as He reveals His insights. Vulnerable, heart racing, she changes the subject. She chooses one that is safe. But even here, the Stranger calls her to life with God that she has always wanted but thought impossible.

Who is this Stranger? I have known Him but minutes and yet it is obvious that He knows me like no other. As her eyes water, her anxiety vanishes as she realizes, no one has ever loved me like this either.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
We were told what He knew.
We heard how He loved.
We saw for ourselves.
We asked Him to stay.
We believed.
He is the Savior of the World.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
My little boy is dying. We have done everything we know to do. We are desperate. I have heard the stories of the One who can perform miracles. I pleaded with my husband to go to Him. He was reluctant. He has never asked for help from anybody before. In his position, he does not have to. He tells others what to do and it is done. But this is different. My husband is so strong. He has been so strong for me. For our boy. But I know he hurts as much as I do. I can see it in his eyes and in his movements. I can hear it in his voice. So this morning he left for Cana. Now, I feel guilty. My son worsens. I just hope my husband makes it back before. . . .

O God, I want all those things that I take for granted to happen again. The hugs he gives me. The way he smiles. The pictures he draws. Even, the times he is just too loud in the house. I want my boy back. I want to hear him say Mommy again.
Mommy. Son? Mommy. Son!

John Chapter Three

2012-01-04T10:13:00.001-08:00

As the displeasure of most of his peers towards Jesus grows, the possibility exist in his mind that Jesus might actually be from God. Maybe He was sent and empowered by God. To heal. To teach. To inspire. Maybe more?

The cover of darkness provides the opportunity for the Pharisee to meet the Carpenter. Before the Pharisee's question is even asked, the Carpenter's answer is given."You must be born again."

"How so?!?" This defies all I know of nature.

It is absurd.

Meaningless are your religious achievements and acknowledgments. You must be born again.Impossible!Nothing is impossible with God. You must be born again.

Flesh begets flesh. Spirit begets spirit. As the wind, the Spirit is. Mysterious. Unpredictable. Uncontrollable. Powerful. Though the Spirit Himself is unseen, the mark of the Spirit is obvious. By the Spirit, you must be born again.

Israel's teacher is mystified. For Now.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Poisonous snakes had infested the camp of God's people. The ingratitude they felt towards their God was replaced by fear and anxiety. Healing from the poison could be found only by looking in faith to the bronze serpent lifted high.

This story was well known by even Israel's children. Surely, it was known by Israel's teacher. But the twist on the story now leaves him with more questions than the night began with.

The Son of Man would be lifted up?
Those who believe in Him will be saved?
What does all this mean? Are the others right?
Should I have even had this meeting?
There just seems to be something so different about Him.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
For God
All-powerful. All-knowing. Self-sufficient. Unchanging. Uncreated but the Creator of everything.

So Loved
Cared for. Laid His affection upon.

The World
All humanity. The strong. The weak. The rich. The poor. Every race. Every people. From every continent. Speaking every language. The unborn. The old. The healthy. The lame. Those we call innocent. Those we call guilty. Those we honor as important. Those we treat as worthless. Sinners - there is no other type.

That He Gave
Sacrificed. Offered. Sent.

His Only Begotten Son
Perfect. Unique. The Only One of the Father's Nature. The exact representation of His image. The radiance of His glory.

That Whosoever
An Open invitation. To me. To you.

Believes.
Trusts. Embraces. Depends upon. Receives.

Should Not Perish.
Face Death. Encounter Judgement. Enter Hell.

But Have Eternal Life.
Everlasting Peace. Unspeakable Joy. Unending Adventures. With Him. With others. Forever.

Get the Most Out of Reading the Bible!

2012-01-04T09:25:00.001-08:00

Four days into 2012! I hope you are making reading the Word of God part of every day. If not, start right now. Also, for those of you using the Project 345 plan on your phone or tablet, you have probably noticed that it does not match up perfectly with the bulletin insert I have made. The phone plan has your first two days for catching up after John Chapter One, while my print out has them after Chapter Five. There are some ways to make it adjust a bit but it probably will not ever match the printout perfectly. Either way, you will be reading five assigned chapters each week and have two days to catch up or read other parts of the Bible. So whether one is using the printout or app, we will all be pretty close.

Here are a few suggestions to get the most out of your Bible reading each day.

1. Don't just read to learn stuff, read to grow your relationship with God. Bible Reading should be more relational than intellectual. Don't be like the Pharisees who knew the Bible but didn't know it author!

2. Ask yourself what your reading teaches you about yourself, your own life, family, job, etc. Who do you identify with in the story? What universal principles are taught?

3. Ask yourself what your reading teaches you about God: His power, love, grace, justice, judgement, wisdom, etc.

4. Read with a pen in hand either underlining verses that jump out or writing them and other thoughts in a journal. I now do this on my tablet and sometimes just copy and paste to a blog.

4. Pray while you are reading asking God to apply what you are reading to real life and that He will help you to see in the passage what He wants you to see. (Psalm 119:18)

5. Live out what God is teaching you. I firmly believe that God will not teach someone more if they are not willing to live out what they already know. Why should He? But, if someone is practically living out what God is teaching, God is going to continue to pour His wisdom and truth into their life. (James 1:22)

God Speaks! Let's Listen!

The Second Chapter of John

2012-01-03T09:34:00.001-08:00

I tried to tell them. The preparations were insufficient for the number of guests that would be present and the number of days the celebration would last. I could feel the anxiety among those who had volunteered to help. As the last drink was served, one woman was especially concerned. She told her son to do something. He seemed hesitant. I understood why. After all, what could he do. It wasn't his fault. Still, the woman told us to do what he said. He told me and the others to fill the purification jars with water. I thought that was a pretty good idea. There was no point in even trying to find enough wine for the guests. At least they could drink water. And with the amount of water he asked us to get, no one would go thirsty. I assumed we would not draw attention to the fact that we were out of wine. But the man asked me to take some to the master of cermonies. After he tasted the water, he called up Nathaniel. I felt sorry for Nathaniel. Here it was his wedding celebration and he is about to be called out for his failure to adequately provide for his guests. But that was not what happened. He was honored for his wisdom for reserving the best drink for this part of the festival. Did I miss something? I tasted the water. It was water no longer. It was wine. The sweetest and most satisfying wine that ever had touched my mouth. I missed the name of the man who did this. Still, I was certain of one thing: He did something that no one else could do and he did it well. I knew that even though Nathanial received credit for what happened, the credit belonged to another. I wonder what else he can do.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

God's people gathered. Holy ground corrupted. Holy indignation ignited. Tables overturned. The crack of a whip. The clanging of coins. What right did He have to do these things? What right did they have to question Him? What right do we?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I have only been with Jesus a few weeks now, but everything He does and says confirms what I know to be true. He is the Messiah. I am beginning to think that I don't fully understand what that means. At our friend's wedding, he stepped in to solve what seemed to be such a mundane and insignificant problem. I know he loves our friend and wanted to help, so He did. I feel, however, His expanding love is such that He wants to step into the lives of so many more. Now we are in Jerusalem for Passover. As I contemplate what He did today, there is sense where He was completely out of character. There is another sense where the commotion He caused in the temple was completely in line with who He is. In Him there is a love and a holiness that meet that I have not seen in anyone before. I am concerned about the fact that the temple police and our leaders became so upset today. No one wants to be on their bad side. Jesus knows that too so I am sure He will be more careful in the future. They did make a good point though, how could we rebuild the temple in three days? And all the people who gathered around us, in some ways I doubt their sincerity. I think Jesus did too.

John the Baptist

2012-01-03T09:30:00.003-08:00

My name is John. I have been called many things. Peculiar. Passionate. Fanatical. Faithful. Arrogant. Abrasive. Bold. Hypocritical. Radical. Religious. Dangerous. The prophet. The baptist. Still, it does not matter. I am concerned only with the opinion of One. His call on my life is clear. I am consumed by this and by this alone. At whatever cost, I will make known to my Jewish brethren what God through His Spirit has made known to me: The Messiah is here. We must turn from sin that we may hear from Him. Some have called me great. The greatest among us are not in His class. He is categorically different. He is the Lamb of God. The voice of the Father spoke. The Spirit as a dove descended. If you have followed me in the past, follow Him from this point forward. I must decrease. He must increase. His glory is my joy. My life is not about me. It is all about Jesus.

Andrew and Philip

2012-01-03T09:30:00.001-08:00

Of all the things we can call Him, this was the title that we embraced.

The Lamb of God.

This was the name that compelled us to leave the one we previously followed in order to follow Him.

The Lamb of God.

We could not understand the full significance of this title until several years later. Still, we were gripped.

The Lamb of God.

Spotless. Sacrificial. Substitutionary.

The Lamb of God.

Our teacher taught us about God's righteousness. The Teacher brought us God's righteousness.

The Lamb of God.

We did not simply need someone to show us the way we should go. We needed someone to save us from the way we were going.

The Lamb of God.

This was too amazing to keep to ourselves. We had to share Him with those we loved.

The Lamb of God.

I had to tell my brother.

I had to tell my friend.

We have seen Him. Come see Him for yourself.

The Lamb of God.

As usual, my brother was enthusiastic. Excited.

As usual my friend was contemplative. Doubtful.

He gave my brother a new name. A name I didn't think fit.

My friend gave Him new names. Names I knew fit. Rabbi. The Son of God. The King of Israel. But for us, the name that changed everything was this.

The Lamb of God.

john 2 - Bible reading thoughts

2012-01-03T07:20:00.001-08:00

Wedding - We need the presence and power of Jesus in our marriages; Lord, sanctify my marriage, marriages in our church family, marriage in our nation, with your presence and power.

Kept the good wine until now - Jesus does all things well, best, even wine making. What takes time Jesus can do in an instant. With Jesus, the best is yet to come.

Zeal - Jesus one passion was to honor the Father while pointing his life towards the cross for us.

The temple of his body - Jesus death and resurrection authenticates who He is and everything He did & said.

Take the Project 345 Challenge!

2012-01-02T10:30:00.001-08:00

On Sunday, January 1st, 2012, I encouraged our church family to take the Project 345 challenge and read the New Testament in 2012. Project 345 is a simple, effective way to read the entire New Testament in one year. The plan involves reading one chapter per day five days a week. Use the other two days to catch up or to read from the Old Testament. The plan was designed by www.thearckchurch.com and named for the average of three minutes and forty five seconds that it takes to read one chapter in the New Testament.

In our world today, we have many "voices" speaking to us: TV, iPods, internet, Facebook, Twitter, friends, family, teachers, co-workers, etc. But the voice we need to hear above every other voice is the Voice of God. And God wants to speak to you today! Would you commit to join me and our church family in reading the New Testament this year? You will be amazed at the blessings that will become part of your life if you will!

Keeping Up with Your Reading Plan

You can keep up with your reading this year either through downloading and printed a Reading Plan Checklist here or you can download the free YouVersion Bible App by Lifechurch.tv and keep up with your reading plan on your phone or tablet.

To get the YouVersion bible app go to youversion.com/download on your phone or tablet. Once you download the app, you will need to sign up for a free account. You will then have access to almost all English versions via internet. Many of the versions you can also download to your phone so that you can access them without internet as well. I downloaded the English Standard Version - the version I preach from. Finally, browse through the available reading plans and find Project 345! Let me know if you need help getting started.

Feel free to share what God is teaching you through His Word on our Church Facebook Page. Also, each Wednesday night during prayer meeting, my devotional will come from that week's reading and you will have an opportunity to share as well!

God Bless and may He speak powerfully to you this year through His Word!

Ten Blessings that Come from Reading the Bible

2012-01-02T09:56:00.001-08:00

“The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.” (Psalm 119:72, ESV)

“Therefore I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold.” (Psalm 119:127, ESV)

1. Salvation (Points us to Jesus for salvation)

“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:14–15, ESV)

“My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word.” (Psalm 119:81, ESV)

“I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life.” (Psalm 119:93, ESV)

2. Sanctification

“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:17, ESV)

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16–17, ESV)

3. Intimacy with God

“The priests did not say, ‘Where is the Lord?’ Those who handle the law did not know me; the shepherds transgressed against me; the prophets prophesied by Baal and went after things that do not profit.” (Jeremiah 2:8, ESV)

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.” (John 5:39–40, ESV)

“I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.” (1 John 2:14, ESV)

4. Protection against sin

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:9–11, ESV)

“Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!” (Psalm 119:36, ESV)

“My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law.” (Psalm 119:136, ESV)

“Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.” (Psalm 19:11, ESV)

5. Wisdom & Direction

“Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts.” (Psalm 119:98–100, ESV)

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105, ESV)

“The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.” (Psalm 119:130, ESV)

. . . the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;” (Psalm 19:7, ESV)

6. Happiness & Joy

“Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.” (Psalm 119:111, ESV)

“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. . .” (Psalm 19:7, ESV)

“the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;” (Psalm 19:8, ESV)

“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11, ESV)

7. Encouragement

“My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!” (Psalm 119:28, ESV)

“This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.” (Psalm 119:50, ESV)

“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. . .” (Psalm 19:7, ESV)

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16, ESV)

8. Evangelism

“but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,” (1 Peter 3:15, ESV)

“Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.” (Acts 8:35, ESV)

9. Stability

“Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.” (Psalm 119:89, ESV)

“The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.” (Psalm 119:160, ESV)

“but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” (Psalm 1:2–3, ESV)

10. Peace

“Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.” (Psalm 119:165, ESV)

“

Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.” (Psalm 119:97, ESV)

John 1 - Jesus, You Are!

2012-01-02T08:04:00.001-08:00

Eternal Word. Fully God. Creator of all things. True Life. The Brightest Light. The Son of God with flesh and bone. The Lamb of God. Sin-taker. Jesus from Nazareth. Savior from heaven. Knower of all things and knower of me. King of Israel and King of Kings. The way to heaven.

Great men say leave me and follow You. Desperate men abandon all and do it.

And by faith in you, I am a child of God.

John 1 - Jesus' You Are!

2012-01-02T07:49:00.001-08:00

http://bible.us/n/FS5n John 1 - Jesus, You are!

Silent Night - Maggie on Piano

2011-12-25T08:36:00.001-08:00

p24.mov Watch on Posterous

Christmas Eve 2012 - God's In Expressible Gift

2011-12-24T14:04:00.001-08:00

God has an inexpressible gift He wants you to receive. It the gift of salvation purchased by His Son. That's what we celebrate tonight. The fact that God sent His only Son to earth, to be born as a baby, to live a perfect life while experiencing all the pain and temptation this world brings, to die as a prefect sacrifice in our place, and to rise forever more to grant the gift of abundant life on earth and eternal life in heaven for all who would receive Him. Have your receive God's inexpressible gift.

There are some gifts that we receive that really have no lasting impact on our life. Last year at our young adult Christmas party we had a white elephant gift exchange. I receive a white elephant gift. A literal white elephant. A literal deformed white elephant. The gift got a good laugh. It was then taken home and put in the back of a drawer, never to be seen from again. That is until next week at our Young Adult Christmas party when it will be re-gifted. That white elephant was fun to receive yet it had no lasting impact and it took absolutely no commitment on my part to receive it.

Compare that to the Christmas gift I gave Sunshine 11 years ago tonight. After our Christmas Eve service that night, Sunshine and I exchanged the gifts we had for each other. The gift I gave her was a small wrapped box. I wish I could say that my giving her that box was as smooth as could be. But if you know me well, you know that probably was not the case. Still, Sunshine opened the gift with an engagement ring inside and she said, yes, she would receive it. And in receiving it, she gave me the honor of becoming my wife. And once we were married, we entered into a covenant before God to be husband and wife for the rest of our lives.

My receiving of the white elephant was much different than Sunshine's receiving of the engagement ring. One gift had no lasting impact. One gift would change our lives. One gift required no commitment at all. One gift demanding a lifetime commitment.

I think there are some people that what to receive God's gift of salvation through Jesus like I receive that white elephant. They want to be able to know they have heaven somewhere in the back of the closet but they really do not want it to impact their day to day life and they don't want it to require some sort of commitment on their part.

I hope you understand that receiving God's gift of eternal life is much more like receiving an engagement ring. You are saying to Jesus, I want to be one with you and I want to walk with you forever. I want to enter into a covenant relationship with you forever! And my part of the covenant is to trust in you and allow you to be the Lord of my life everyday.

Have you truly received God's gift. Not like one receives a white elephant gift. But by receiving it, trusting in God with all of your life for the rest of your life? If not, would you receive Him now?

Reading the New Testament Together in 2012!

2011-12-07T08:36:00.001-08:00

Oh how I love your law. It is my mediation all the day. . . Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:97, 105

The longest chapter of the Bible is Psalm 119. Nearly every one of its 176 verses point our hearts to God’s love letter to us, The Bible, His written word. How blessed we are to have access to the very word of God, proclaiming to us the love God has for, teaching us His desire for our life, and calling us into a right relationship with Him though His Son Jesus. And yet, too often, the Bible is a gift that we simply take for granted. No More! I dream of seeing every member of our church family commit to reading the Bible, beginning with the entire New Testament in 2012.

I challenge you to commit to read the New Testament in 2012 using the Project 3:45 Reading Plan. Project 3:45 is a simple, effective way to read the entire New Testament in one year. The Plan involves reading one chapter per day five days a week. You may use the weekends to catch up or to read passages from the Old Testament. The plan was designed by www.thearchchurch.com and named for the average of 3 minutes and 45 seconds that it takes to read one New Testament chapter.

Two tools are available to help you keep up with the reading plan. One is a printed handout that will be in our bulletins each Sunday from December 18^th through January 1^st (on which day my message will focus on challenging each of us to read God’s Word). The other tool which some may choose to use to keep up with their reading is the free YouVersion Bible app for your phone. This app will allow you to access almost all English versions either through downloading them to your phone or via the internet. The YouVersion Bible App also has many reading plans to help guide your reading of the Bible including the Project 3:45 plan. www.youversion.com/download

Not only do I dream of seeing each of us read the New Testament in 2012, but sharing what God is teaching us with others. Our church Facebook page would be available for you to post what God is teaching you from His Word, ask questions about the text, and interact with what others are saying. Each Wednesday night during Prayer Meeting, my devotional will come from that week’s reading and there will be time give for you to share what God is teaching you. You could also use the reading plan to develop a daily or weekly family devotion time. I’ll be sharing more ideas on how to do this soon.

Plan now on taking the Project 3:45 Challenge and read the New Testament in 2012!

Untitled

2011-12-01T21:43:00.001-08:00

David Peacock (@DavidRayPeacock) has shared a Tweet with you:

desiringgod: Charles Spurgeon: “Nobody ever outgrows Scripture; the Book widens and deepens with our years.”
--http://twitter.com/desiringgod/status/142330126649131008

God with Us - By the Village Church

2011-11-30T09:55:00.001-08:00

C.S. Lewis on Failure

2011-11-22T10:27:00.001-08:00

No amount of falls will really undo us if we keep picking ourselves up each time. We shall of course be very muddy and tattered children by the time we reach home. But the bathrooms are all ready, the towels put out, and the clean clothes in the airing cupboard. The only fatal thing is to lose one's temper and give up. It is when we notice the dirt that God is most present in us; it is the very sign of His presence.

"No amount of falls will really undo us if we keep picking ourselves up each time. We shall of course be very muddy and tattered children by the time we reach home. But the bathrooms are all ready, the towels put out, and the clean clothes in the air

2011-11-22T10:25:00.001-08:00

Render to God the things that are God's

2011-11-02T11:03:00.001-07:00

“Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”” (Matthew 22:19–21, ESV)

A group of Pharisees set out to "entangle Jesus in His word." Talk about a lesson in futility! Who in their right mind possibly thinks they can entangle the Son of God in His words! But not only did they set out on an impossible task, they took their enemies with them for assistance, the Herodians! The Herodians were a group of people who sought to increase the political power of Herod. Hence, their commitment was more political than religious, and considering the times, they were willing to support Rome and Rome's unjust system of taxation. The Pharisees plot was to ask Jesus a question about taxation that would cause him to answer in support of their religious ideas hence angering they Herodians or answer in support of Politics and undermine his commitment to God's people. Far from being entangled in His words, Jesus' answer caused everyone to marvel. And yet, what is so profound about "money has Caesar's picture on it so go ahead and give it to Him." Isn't that pretty self explanatory - not really profound is it? Until you begin to think about what else Jesus says, "Render to God what is God!" You see, Jesus asked for a coin then asked what image is on the coin. Caesar's. Well then, humanly speaking Caesar (Rome, government) controls money, so go ahead and pay taxes - But whatever has God's image on it, give it wholly to God. And all who were listening knew exactly what Jesus was saying. A coin has a picture of a man on it so it really is not that valuable at all. But, that which has God's image on it is supremely valuable - our lives! And we must give our lives wholly to God!

Songs about our hope in Jesus

2011-10-18T17:57:00.001-07:00

03 When I Get Where I'm Going.m4a Listen on Posterous

11 With Hope.m4a Listen on Posterous

Songs about our hope in Jesus

2011-10-17T20:38:00.001-07:00

03 When I Get Where I'm Going.m4a Listen on Posterous

11 With Hope.m4a Listen on Posterous

Message by Cary Winslett - October 9th, 2011

2011-10-11T14:41:00.001-07:00

Cary Winslet 10-9-11.mp3 Listen on Posterous

Emotionally Spent

2011-10-04T10:57:00.001-07:00

Does daily life wear on you to the point that you are just emotionally spent? Or maybe major life events - either negative or positive - have you emotionally exhausted? Most people I know becoming emotionally exhausted at times. I know I do. And it seems that in His humanity, Jesus became emotionally exhausted as well.

In Matthew 12, we discover that John the Baptist was executed by Herod. The Scripture says, "Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place to be by himself." Jesus had been totally giving of Himself to others through teaching, healing, defending His truth, and casting out demons. And then he heard, humanly speaking, that his cousin, friend, and faithful forerunner had been unjustly murdered. He is emotionally spent. Jesus needs to escape for a moment to be alone with the Father. This does not last long however as the crowds hear of Jesus' location and are drawn to him. Despite his own emotions, Jesus has compassion on the crowd, and ask his disciples to feed them. Well, that's impossible task - there are over 5,000 men plus women and children! Still, Jesus does it! After feeding the crowd, Jesus sends his disciples to the other side of the lake while he again goes to be alone with the Father in prayer. Jesus then walks on the water to the boat the disciples are in. Peter gets out to be with him and sinks. Jesus saves Peter. Upon reaching the other side of the lake, people were brought from all over the region for Jesus to heal. Again, emotionally spent. Emotionally exhausted.

As we look at at time in Jesus' life when he was "emotionally spent," I think there are some lessons we can learn:

1. When we are emotionally spent, we need time alone with the Father. If Jesus needed time to escape with the Father in prayer, how much more do we need to! This may mean carving out time from other hobbies and responsibilities to spend time with God and in His Word. It is the Spirit of God and the Word of God that will revive our soul when we are emotionally spent.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6–7, ESV)

2. Even when emotionally spent, we can sacrificially give of ourselves. When it seemed that Jesus had nothing left to give, he continued to give. Certainly, as we have already seen, we need time alone with God to be refreshed. Still, we can continue to love and serve others even as we seek God for refreshing. The thing we must not do is completely isolate ourselves for long periods of time from others and from our responsibilities. Could it be that one of the antidotes to depression is giving sacrificially of ourselves for the glory of God? Could it be that our loving others is one of the means by which God will revive our hearts?

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9, ESV)

3. Sadness is a normal response. Sometimes it seems that we would have others believe that if there is sadness in one's life, he or she must not be living for the Lord. Absolutely, not true! Here and at the tomb of Lazarus we see Jesus saddened by the death of one he loved. Jesus is saddened even though he knew that physical death is not the end, that in Him, his friends would have life eternal. Even though we do not grieve as those who have no hope, we do grieve. Yet, we grieve with hope. Sadness is a normal response to many things that happen in a fallen world. Still, in our sadness and emotional exhaustion let's make it our determined response to be with God, seeking His refreshing and to continue to love and serve others as He strengthens us!

“Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people, from the deceitful and unjust man deliver me! For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you rejected me? Why do I go about mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” (Psalm 43:1–5, ESV)

Together We Grow: A Vision for Future Growth

2011-10-03T09:27:00.001-07:00

In the past five years, God has blessed us by allowing us to purchase two pieces of property that connect with our church property. In deciding to purchase property, our Future Planning Team first evaluated the needs of our church and community and the best way to use our property for future growth. We asked a church growth specialist from the BGCT to study our church and help us make a recommendation. She prepared a Conceptual Site Plan of our property and the property we were prepared to purchase. Her plan included a multi-purpose facility that could be used for worship services with a maximum capacity of 350, fellowship meals with a maximum capacity of 220, and family life activities. The prepared drawings are now on display in the church hallway.

Now that God has allowed us to completely pay of the new properties, our ministerial staff and deacon body are making a joint recommendation to take a step of faith towards this Vision for Future Growth. Our recommendation is that the church enters into a Future Growth Campaign called Together We Grow. Once the Together We Grow fund reaches $200,000 (whether this takes 3 years or 10 years, God knows) our church will select a New Building Team which will reevaluate the Conceptual Site Plan (this team may decide to make major changes to the plan or only minor adjustments), prepare an estimate for the New Building, evaluate how to further fund the building, and recommend that we enter into the building process. The New Building Team’s proposals would be presented to the church for approval. (Because the fund is a Future Growth Fund, it would allow the church to use funds from this money to purchase additional property before beginning the building process if the church decides to do so. Obviously, this would delay our goal of reaching $200,000.)

Our ministerial staff and deacon body will officially present this recommendation at the October business meeting. Any discussion and vote on adopting Together We Grow will be tabled until our November business meeting. This will give our members one month to prayerfully consider Together We Grow and to discuss it with our staff and deacons.

The vision for Together We Grow is built upon Ephesians 2:19-22. You will immediately notice that this passage does not deal with a building but people being joined together and built up in Christ. This is intentional. If we enter into a campaign for future growth, I want each of us to clearly understand that more property and larger facilities is not our goal. Our goal is that God would use property and facilities as tools to grow the church: Reaching the Lost for Jesus and Uniting Believers together! Property is a tool! People are the church!

God's Hand of Providence

2011-09-30T12:20:00.001-07:00

At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and I will punish the men who are complacent, those whop say in their hearts, "The Lord will not do good, nor will he do ill." Zephaniah

The Lord speaks through the prophet Zephaniah of a day when there will be those in Jerusalem, those who call themselves God's people, who in their complacency, doubt God's hand of providence. They don't doubt God's existence, they just doubt that God is truly concerned about human affairs. They declare in their hearts and with their actions that God will not intervene on behalf of his people nor will he intervene to bring justice to those who do evil.

This type of complacency plagues America both tin the church and in the culture at large. How many state with their lips they believe in the existence of God but prove with their actions that their hearts say, "The Lord will not do good nor will he do ill." Let's be clear, this is a lie from the pit of hell. Our God is not absent from human affairs. He intervenes on behalf of his people and against evil. God's hand of providence is directing every aspect of this universe. In his omniscience, he knows every detail of your life and mine. In his omnipotence, he is powerful enough to work in and through all things. In his omni-benevolence, his is concerned about every detail of your life and acting to bring good to his people. In his justice, every evil will be accounted for.

Our God not only exists, but he actively intervenes and involves himself in his creation. He is Emmanuel - God with us!

Suffering and Making Jesus Known

2011-09-29T12:12:00.005-07:00

The first question we tend to ask when we see suffering in others or experience suffering personally tends to be, "Why, God." We want to know why a good, all-powerful God would allow such suffering. It is a question that has dwelt in the hearts of humanity throughout every generation. As Christians. is it possible that we need to make that question secondary to this question: "How, God?" In other words, we need to ask God how we can work in us and through us to make Jesus more fully known. It seems experientially and biblically that there are at least three ways that we Jesus can become more fully known during seasons of suffering.

First of all, suffering in others provides an opportunity to minister to them with the grace of Jesus. James says, "Religion that is pure and undefiled before god, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." James 1:27 Christians should be available to sacrificially care and minister to those who suffer with the love of Jesus. This means meeting practically meeting felt earthly needs while showing them that Jesus is the answer to their greatest need - repentance of sin, forgiveness through the cross of Christ, and eternal life with God! And unlike the friends of Job, our job (couldn't resist using Job-job together!) is not to judge those that suffer and point out their faults as the reason for their suffering. God knows the reasons, we don't!

Secondly, when we suffer, we will be able to share clearly with other that Jesus is our hope. They will see in us the magnitude of what it means to be people who have faith in Jesus. Sharing and Living Jesus through suffering is like speaking through a megaphone. When we share Jesus in seasons of comfort, we whisper that Jesus is the way. When we share Jesus in seasons of suffering, we shout Jesus is the way! Other will see that Romans 8:28, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for God, for those who are called according to his purpose.", is not simply and intellectually teaching but a deep reality of our life. And when others see us suffering to make Jesus known, they will see a personal expression of suffering that pushes them to see and embrace the suffering of Jesus himself. This is what Paul means when he rejoiced in suffering that served to awaken hearts to the good news of Jesus. See Colossians 1:24

Finally, personal suffering provides an opportunity to know Jesus more fully. Job's suffering enable Him to experience God in a way that he would not be able to otherwise. Job says in 42:5, "I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you." The orphan is able to declare, "For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the LORD will take me in." Psalms 27:10 The lonely here Jesus say, "I will never leave you or forsake you." Hebrews 13:5 The fearful will learn to “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 Those who feel their prayers have gone unanswered will experience the promise that ““My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 As Christians we will trust more deeply in our God as we suffering and we will continue to be faithful to Him: “Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.” 1 Peter 4:19

Suffering always initiates the question of "Why?". But before we do battle with they "why?" let's begin to search for the "how?" How can I minister the grace of Jesus to those who are suffering? How can I make Jesus know to others through my suffering? How can I more fully know Jesus in my suffering?

How to Win and Lose for the Glory of God

2011-09-29T12:12:00.003-07:00

I thought about the story while I was contemplating on how to handle success and failure in a way that honors God. Also a great reminder to all of our student athletes who want to honor Jesus in their competition:

http://www.thegoal.com/players/football/reich_frank/reich_frank.html

GOD WILL GIVE THE VICTORY TODAY

2011-09-29T12:12:00.001-07:00

Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, for the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory. Deuteronomy 20:3

This is the message the priests were to bring to God's people before going into battle, a message of hope and promise from God. Key to the hope: God is "with you" and "for you". God will give the victory.

Today, as God's people people, we will enter a battleground. Not necessarily a physical battleground, though some might, but a spiritual battle ground. (See Ephesians 6.) We have a real and powerful enemy in Satan and his army of demons. Much of the culture we walk through is opposed to the things of God. And yet we will walk without fear in the hope of God's promises. God is with us. God is for us. God will give the victory!

Change the World by Changing Diapers for the Glory of God!

2011-09-29T12:11:00.001-07:00

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31, ESV)

Contextually, 1 Corinthians 10:31 calls us to glorify God by not doing anything that would cause a brother or sister in Christ to stumble in their walk with Jesus. But have you ever considered the implication that we can actually glorify God simply through ordinary, everyday, mundane activities such as eating and drinking. One way the enemy attacks us is by making our lives seem too insignificant to matter. We wake up and - fill in the blank here: go to the office, take the kids to school, do laundry, change diapers, mow the yard, remodel a house, feed the cattle, take the kids to their t-balls games, make dinner - then go to bed so we can wake up and do the exact same thing tomorrow. In the midst of this ordinary, unchanging, seemingly insignificant cycle, Satan would have us believe that our life does not matter and because we are so bogged down by the ordinary, that we will never be used by God to change the world. But could it be that in fact the way that God wants us to change the world is through the ordinary not in spite of it! If we can glorify the God of the universe in the simple act of eating and drinking, isn't it quite likely that every ordinary activity of our day to day routine is an opportunity to bring Glory to our Creator and isn't it true that whenever we glorify our Creator we are changing the world one small ordinary task at a time. This is exactly what I meant last week when I tweeted, "Sanctify the Ordinary." That phrase grew out of my reading of these words by Martin Luther:

Now observe that when that clever harlot, our natural reason . . . , takes a look at married life, she turns up her nose and says, “Alas, must I rock the baby, wash its diapers, make its bed, smell its stench, stay up nights with it, take care of it when it cries, heal its rashes and sores . . . ?”

But into this context Luther breathes fresh gospel air: What then does Christian faith say to this? It opens its eyes, looks upon all these insignificant, distasteful, and despised duties in the Spirit, and is aware that they are all adorned with divine approval as with the costliest gold and jewels. It says, O God, because I am certain that thou hast created me as a man and hast from my body begotten this child, I also know for a certainty that it meets with thy perfect pleasure. I confess to thee that I am not worthy to rock the little babe or wash its diapers, or to be entrusted with the care of the child and its mother. How is it that I, without any merit, have come to this distinction of being certain that I am serving thy creature and thy most precious will? O how gladly will I do so, though the duties should be even more insignificant and despised. Neither frost nor heat, neither drudgery nor labor, will distress or dissuade me, for I am certain that it is thus pleasing in thy sight. . . . God, with all his angels and creatures is smiling—not because the father is washing diapers, but because he is doing so in Christian faith.

Quoted from Sex and the Supremacy of Christ by John Piper and others

Martin Luther is a man who God used to change the world through the Protestant Reformation, yet here is Luther's own words recognizing that one of the greatest ways to bring Glory to God was through the ordinary, mundane, everyday act of changing diapers. (Actually, he had to wash them, thanking God right now for disposable diapers!) Could it be that Martin Luther changed the world because he changed diapers for the glory of God. Could it be that you and I can change the world if we would only Sanctify the Ordinary!

April 2011 Newsletter: Ambassadors of Christ

2011-09-29T12:04:00.005-07:00

Therefore, we are ambassadors of Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20

Have you considered lately the reality that if you are a Christian, you are an ambassador for Christ? An ambassador is one who enters another nation or kingdom as a representative of the leader of his own nation or kingdom. That is truly a marvelous picture of the privilege and responsibility we bear. In Christ, we are citizens of Heaven and we live in this world to represent our King Jesus.

We have been going through the Sermon on the Mount on Sunday mornings. In this sermon that covers Matthew 5-7, Jesus describes to us what it looks like to be a citizen of Heaven while representing Him in the world. The key thought Jesus gives us is to be the Salt of the earth and the Light of the world as we reflect His life through ours. So far, Jesus has described several ways we can practically be that Salt and Light: don’t hold grudges but pursue reconciliation; maintain purity of thought; hold marriage in high regard; be truthful and have integrity; instead of retaliating against those who do evil to you, leave justice to God and love your enemies, and beware of hypocritical religion (doing religious things to gain the attention and adoration of others instead of for the sole purpose of honoring our God.)

Only half way through the Sermon on the Mount and we must ask, “How is it possible to live this out and be an ambassador for Jesus when all the things Jesus teaches us seem to be in complete contradiction to our natural responses?’ What is clear is that to live out the character of Jesus we must experience a radical and complete transformation. That transformation is giving up our personal rights to make Jesus our Lord. That radical transformation is salvation. That is why Paul says, before declaring that we are ambassadors, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17.

Have you experienced this transformation in Christ? Have you been made new through coming to Jesus for salvation? If not, I plead with you “be reconciled to God” through faith in His Son Jesus. If so, joyously fulfill your privilege and responsibility to be the ambassador of Jesus today!

Devotional Thoughts - Lacking the Answer - Religious Tolerance 5/10/11

2011-09-29T12:04:00.003-07:00

Numbers 9

Have you ever been asked a question regarding spiritual matters and did not know the answer? Many times we feel like we have to make something up. Not true! It is completely appropriate to say, "I don't know the answer now but I will consider what God says about that in His Word and will get back to you."

That's what Moses did when he was asked a question about the Passover he could not answer. "And Moses said to them, 'Wait, that I may hear what the Lord will command concerning you." Numbers 9:8

Isaiah 45
As Baptist, we are champions of religious freedom and tolerance. We stand behind the truth that individuals cannot and should not be coerced into worshiping God but should freely choose Jesus and his or her personal Savior and Lord. Still, we stand opposed to the modern philosophy of religious pluralism and tolerance that says all religions are on equal footing, all roads lead to heaven, it does not matter what you believe as long as you are sincere, and one has no right to claim absolute truth if it offends others. We stand behind a traditional tolerance that says we will love and accept all no matter what they believe while reserving our right to lovingly proclaim that Jesus is the only way to heaven; we stand against a modern tolerance that says, it is morally wrong to teach a doctrine (namely that salvations is found only in Jesus) that others may not accept.

In the midst of the modern philosophy of religious pluralism and tolerance, God proclaims, "Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other." Isaiah 45:22

Should We Celebrate the Death of an Evil Man?

2011-09-29T12:04:00.001-07:00

In the aftermath of the death of Osama Bin Laden, you, like I, have probably debated in your mind the appropriateness of celebrating the death of an evil man. In all honesty, I was swept up in the celebration of Bin Laden's death. But instead of having my emotions swayed by public opinion, I want to feel God's heart on matters such as these.

As I considered God's Word, I wanted to first ask, "What does God do to terrorists?" Many say we can't answer that because there are not instances of terrorism in the Bible. Actually, there are. Consider the book of Acts:

Speaking of the terroristic murder of Stephen, "And Saul approved of his execution." Acts 8:1. Later, "But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. . ." Acts 9:1

Saul was a terrorist. He was persecuting, imprisoning, and murdering innocent Christians for religious purposes. So what did God do to this terrorist? In His grace, God saved him. Jesus miraculously intervened by meeting Saul on the road to Damascus. Paul would eventually embrace Jesus as his personal Savior and become a champion for Christ.

But Saul was not the only terrorist in the book of Acts. So was Herod. Acts 12:1-3 says, "Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword, and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also." Herod was a terrorist in that he killed innocent Christians for the sake of political gain. But what did God do to this terrorist? In His justice, God killed him. God miraculously intervened to execute His wrath. "Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last." Acts 12:23

So what does God do to terrorists? He has victory over terrorism either through His grace by saving terrorists or through His justice by killing them. (Isn't this how God has victory over all sin?)

But let's take it a step further. What does God feel towards terrorists? Consider these verses:

"Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord God, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live. . . For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn and live." Ezekiel 18:23-32

"The Lord . . . is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." 2 Peter 3:9

"The Lord will take delight in bringing ruin upon you and destroying you." Deuteronomy 28:63

"Rejoice over her [Babylon representative of evil], O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her!" Revelation 18:21

There is a tension in Scripture concerning God's heart towards terrorists and we must abide in that tension. On one hand, God takes no pleasure - His heart breaks - over the death of anyone who rejects Him. He loves all and wants all to come to know Him and experience His grace. On the other, God is righteous. He delights in his righteousness being honored through justice and encourages His people to rejoice that He is victorious over evil.

So, back to our question, "Should we celebrate the death of an evil man?" Here is my answer:

We do not celebrate the death of any person! We are broken that there are those who fail to find the hope and grace that God freely offers to all through the death of His Son on the cross and His resurrection from the dead.

But we do celebrate the death of evil! God will be victorious over all evil. Sometimes God's victory will be accomplished primarily through His grace as He redeems people. Sometimes God's victory will be accomplished through His wrath as His justice is executed. But, God will always and ultimately have victory over evil. And in that, we celebrate!

(For those who may question whether people have the right to be God's instrument of wrath and justice, I would simply say as individual Christians we do not. But that a sovereign government does. Compare Matthew 5:44 with Romans 13:3-4)

Good Works

2011-09-29T12:03:00.001-07:00

The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. Titus 3:8

We can never earn our way to heaven. Our good works can never make us right with God. And yet good works flow from a right relationship with God. Good works not the means of our salvation. But they are the fruit of it.

Deuteronomy 10:12-13

2011-09-29T12:02:00.005-07:00

And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord which I am commanding you today for your good?

I love how these 2 verses end with "for your good." God is a loving Father who wants the best for His children. Satan would have us believe a lie that suggest greater happiness and adventure is found outside of God's will. The truth is our greatest joy is found in a right relationship with God and walking in His ways.

Deuteronomy 9:6

2011-09-29T12:02:00.003-07:00

"Know, therefore, that the LORD your God is not giving you this good land to possess because of your righteousness, for you are a stubborn people."

It is tempting to credit oneself with life blessings or ministry successes as if the depended upon our faithfulness, wisdom, or work ethic. Let us not forget that every blessing we experience in this life and every fruitful work of ministry is owing entirely to the Grace of our Heavenly Father.

The Bread of Life

2011-09-29T12:02:00.001-07:00

And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. http://bible.us/Deut8.3.ESV

Jesus quoted this verse when tempted. The word of God is more precious than any food. The wilderness journey was a time of testing hearts. They were to learn to depend upon God and His Word.

Could God be taking you or me through a wilderness season to learn to depend on Him & His Word?

A.W. Tozer

2010-12-06T09:17:00.003-08:00

To the child of God, there is no such thing as an accident. He travels an appointed way... Accidents may indeed appear to befall him and misfortune stalk his way; but these evils will be so in appearance only because we cannot read the secret script of God's hidden providence.

Posted via email from David Peacock

A.W. Tozer

2010-12-06T09:17:00.001-08:00

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Associational Sermon Notes

2010-11-04T12:52:00.001-07:00

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The Poor in Spirit

2010-11-04T12:51:00.001-07:00

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Beatitudes 1.pdf (67 KB)

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God's Keys to true Happiness

2010-11-02T08:22:00.001-07:00

We all have something in common. All of us. No matter our race, nationality, or socio-economic status, we have a desire to be happy. We want to have joy in our hearts, purpose in our life, and gladness in our faces. Not only do we want this to be true of our own life, we want to be around people like this as well. And the reason this is true is because God created us this way. He created us for joy, His joy. Unfortunately, even though we want to be happy and God designed us in such a way that we long for His happiness, many of us would say we are not truly happy; we do not have God’s joy in our heart.

But Jesus brings Good News! He offers us the possibility of discovering true, lasting happiness and joy. In Matthew 5:3-12, Jesus gives us what has been called “The Beatitudes”. Beatitude is a Latin term meaning the blessed or happy life. In the Beatitudes, Jesus describes what attitudes and actions will bring God’s people joy in God’s kingdom. Hence, Jesus gives us “God’s Keys to True Happiness.”

What Jesus says brings happiness is exactly the opposite of what the world says bring happiness. The world says get; God says give. The world says rule; God says serve. The world says seek independence; God says be dependent upon Him. And just like God’s means of attaining happiness is different from the world’s, God’s definition of happiness is different from the world’s as well. The world’s definition of happiness is built upon good circumstances in life. God’s definition of happiness is having a deep, inner joy no matter what circumstances life brings us. As the Psalmist says,

“You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and new wine abound.” Ps 4:7

On Sunday mornings, during the months of November and December, I hope you will plan on being part of our Worship Service as we examine together what the Beatitudes and consider what Jesus says are “God’s Keys to True Happiness”.

Posted via email from David Peacock

Dancing in the Minefields

2010-11-02T07:21:00.001-07:00

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Scriptures on Joy

2010-10-17T22:16:00.001-07:00

Do not be grieved, the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Nehemiah 8:10

You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.

Psalm 4:7

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16:11

For his anger is but a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

Psalm 30:5

I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul.

Psalm 31:7

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

Psalm 42:11

The I will go to the altar of my God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

Psalm 43:3-5

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.

Psalm 46:4

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:26

A joyful heart is good medicine. . .

Proverbs 17:22

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

Habakkuk 3:18

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be you, and that your joy may be full.

John 15:11

So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

John 16:22, 24

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice!

Philippians 4:4

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Posted via email from David Peacock

Managing Our Finances God's Way - Crown Money Map

2010-10-05T14:54:00.001-07:00

First Baptist Church Lipan will offer Crown's Financial Ministries' video study, Managing Our Finances God's Way beginning in January 2011. The study is open to the entire community. Email me for more information. Below is a summary of the Crown Money Map.

Get Started!

Give to the work of the Lord.
Visit www.CrownMoneyMap.org more information and online tools.

Destination 1: Emergency Savings

Save $1000 for emergencies

Destination 2: Credit Card Pay Off

Pay off credit cards
Increase savings to one month's living expense

Destination 3: Consumer Debt Paid Off

Pay off consumer debt (auto, furniture, student loans, etc - everything except home mortgage)
Increase savings to three month's living expenses

Destination 4: Save for Major Purchases

Begin saving for major purchases (home, auto, etc.)
Begin saving for retirement
Begin saving for children's education

Destination 5: Buy Home and Begin Investing

Buy affordable home
Begin prepaying mortgage
Begin investing wisely

Destination 6: Home Mortgage Paid Off

Home Mortgage Paid Off
Children's Education Funded
Confirm estate plan is in order

Destination 7: Final Destination

My retirement is funded
I am free to be more generous with my time and money

Posted via email from David Peacock

Back to Church Sunday: September 12, 2010

2010-09-07T12:22:00.001-07:00

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Back To Church Sunday!

2010-08-30T10:01:00.001-07:00

Back To Church Sunday!

It’s More Than a Routine!

Summer is over and school is back in session! (Not sure the weatherman agrees!) If your summer was anything like mine, you’re asking the question, “How did it fly by so fast and how did a summer ‘vacation’ get so busy?” Still, with the start of school, it’s back to many of the routines that school brings. One that my family is still adapting to is going to bed earlier. The girls are having a hard time catching onto that one especially since it is still bright outside when they need to be in bed. It’s a good thing they still are still excited about being in a new grade or we would never get them out of bed!

There is another habit that is easy to get out of during the summer months besides the habit of “early to bed, early to rise.” That is the habit of making sure your family is in church every Sunday. Travel plans and summer projects interrupt our commitment to church and make it easier to skip church even when those things are not going on. We all know it’s not an excuse, but we all know it happens.

So as school brings the need to reestablish many of your family routines, don’t’ forget to reestablish, the routine of making sure your family is in church every Sunday to worship God to and to learn from His Word. And if church attendance has never been a family routine, this is a great time to establish the routine of church. Or better yet, since God is more concerned about you cultivating a relationship with Him instead a routine, cultivate in your heart and family an atmosphere where attending church and to worship Christ and to study the Bible is an expression of your love for Jesus and you wouldn’t miss it for the world!

To help our community cultivate exactly that, we are emphasizing a day to start: Back to Church Sunday on September 12^th! Sunday School at 9:45 am; Worship at 11:00 am: Dinner on the Grounds at Noon! See you there as we all make church more than a routine!

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25

Posted via email from David Peacock

The Five Love Languages Personal Profile

2010-08-23T10:10:00.001-07:00

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Marriage Conference Highlights: Dr. Gary Chapman

2010-08-23T09:53:00.001-07:00

Expressions of Love (Love Languages)
Words of Affirmation
Gifts

Acts of Service
Quality Time
Physical Touch

Each of us has a primary love language and usually a secondary love language. By nature, we speak our own love language. We must learn to speak the love language of our spouse.

Seven Traits of Love (1 Corinthians 13, Galatians 5; Romans 12)

Kindness - actions and words that benefit others
Patience - accepting the imperfections of others
Forgiveness - finding freedom from the grip of anger
Courtesy - to treat others as you would treat a friend
Humility - stepping down so someone else can step up
Generosity - giving time, money, and abilities to help others
Honesty - caring enough to tell the truth, doesn't lie to get out of a mess

Questions to ask your spouse

How can I help you?
How can I make your life easier?
How can I be a better husband to you?

Posted via email from David Peacock

Love & Marriage Conference Highlights: Les & Leslie Parrot

2010-08-22T21:12:00.001-07:00

Our beliefs impact our behavior. These are two myths of marriage: Myth #1: My spouse expects the same thing from marriage that I do. In truth, we enter into marriage with unspoken rules & unconscious roles.
Myth #2: My spouse will make me whole. In truth, our spouses should compliment us but only Jesus can complete us. If you try to build intimacy with another person before getting whole on your own - all your relationships become an attempt to complete yourself.

How to get healthy (Ephesians 3:17-4:3)
1. Profound Significance: Our relationship with God
2. Unswerving Authenticity: Our relationship with self
3. Self-giving Love: Our relationship with others

Communication Skills
1. Clarify Content
2. Reflect Feeling

Differences
1. Men use conversation for "report talk"; women use conversation for "rapport talk".
2. Men want to fix problems, women want to explore problems.

What makes you feel emotionally safe: TALQ
1. Time - get things done quick
2. Approval - value feelings over facts
3. Loyalty - resistant to change, person of habit
4. Quality - cautious, informed decisions

You don't need to to change to be like your spouse, you need to empathize with your spouse.

1 John 4:18

www.realrelatuonships.com

Posted via email from David Peacock

Quote by John Quincy Adams

2010-08-12T09:41:00.001-07:00

When John Quincy Adams, at 80, was asked how he was, he answered:

"John Quincy Adams himself is very well, thank you. But the house he lives in is sadly dilapidated. It is tottering on its foundations. The walls are badly shattered and the roof is worn; the building trembles with every wind, and I think John Quincy Adams will have to move out of it before long. But he himself is very well."

Posted via email from David Peacock

The Prayer of Jesus - 2

2010-08-10T11:15:00.001-07:00

The Prayer Of Jesus - 2 by David Peacock
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7-18-10.mp3 (5782 KB)

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The Prayer of Jesus - 2.pdf (451 KB)

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The Prayer of Jesus - 1

2010-08-10T10:38:00.001-07:00

The Prayer Of Jesus 1 by David Peacock
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7-11-10.mp3 (6269 KB)

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The Prayer of Jesus.pdf (336 KB)

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Jonah - Sermon by Alex Garrett

2010-08-10T10:27:00.001-07:00

Jonah - Alex Garrett by Alex Garrett
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alex.mp3 (6142 KB)

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Far Too Easily Pleased

2010-08-09T14:07:00.001-07:00

“If there lurks in most modern minds the notion that to desire our own good and earnestly to hope for the enjoyment of it is a bad thing, I submit that this notion has crept in from Kant and the Stoics and is not part of the Christian faith.

Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak.

We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

- C. S. Lewis in “The Weight of Glory”

Posted via email from David Peacock

Untitled

2010-08-02T11:27:00.001-07:00

Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. Ps 2:12

Posted via email from David Peacock

Psalms 2:12

2010-08-02T11:22:00.001-07:00

Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. Ps 2:12

I still am amazed that this verse rest right in the center of the Old Testament, thousands of years before the birth of Jesus. The verse makes clear that the Old Testament saints' set their hope firmly on the coming descendant of David who is also the Son of God. To kiss him brings life and blessing. Reject him and you will perish. This "Do this and live; do this not" statement is not spoken to you by an enemy but by the God who loves you dearly & who pleads with you to embrace His Son Jesus that you might be rescued from hell and be blessed with eternal life!

Posted via email from David Peacock

Doing Family God's Way: Let's Talk

2010-07-08T14:36:00.001-07:00

Let's Talk by David Peacock
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7-4-10.mp3 (7105 KB)

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Lets Talk.pdf (53 KB)

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Doing Family God's Way: Parents and Children

2010-07-01T14:06:00.001-07:00

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parents&children.pdf (7 KB)

Parents And Children by David Peacock
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6-27-10.mp3 (7366 KB)

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Doing Family God's Way: Husbands & Wives

2010-06-23T14:39:00.001-07:00

Husbands And Wives by David Peacock
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6-20-10.mp3 (8899 KB)

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Mission Update & Marriage Survey

2010-06-16T09:16:00.001-07:00

Last week, 31 of us from our church went on our Mission Trip to San Leon. We were blessed to be able to partner with San Leon Community Church. SLCC is a small church doing a great work for the Kingdom of God as they reach out to their community. Each week they distribute food to 150-200 families. They are loving the Vietnamese Buddhist in their area in practical ways while sharing the Gospel of Jesus. They are being Jesus to people many would consider outcast. You would be so proud of our team of adults, teens, and kids as they built an outdoor room for a senior Vietnamese man; mowed, built a deck, and even washed the dogs of a woman who recently lost her husband; prayer walked a community; loved and taught kids through Bible Clubs, games, even serving them food; and ministered to entire families through food distribution and a block party. Pictures of the mission trip will be available by Friday on our website at www.fbclipan.net. Click on "pictures" in the left bar.

After taking a break for a couple of weeks, this Sunday we will jump back into our study on the family, "Doing Family God's Way". We will consider how God says a husband and wife are to relate and respond to one another. I would love to hear your anonymous responses on how to live out the bible's teaching on marriage. To share your thoughts, visit http://bit.ly/8ZZfnI

Hope you are having a great week. Be the light of Jesus today!

Posted via email from David Peacock

Doing Family God's Way: Loving Like Jesus part 1

2010-05-28T12:21:00.001-07:00

Loving Like Jesus
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Doing Family God's Way: Loving Like Jesus part 1

2010-05-28T12:14:00.001-07:00

Loving Like Jesus
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5-16-10.mp3 (7256 KB)

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God-Like Love.pdf (498 KB)

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Busy Weekend Ahead (May 21st-23rd)

2010-05-18T11:48:00.001-07:00

Here is some information and reminders I am trying to keep everyone aware of for this weekend:

Kids Camp Bake Sale

Our bake sale to raise money for Kids Camp for 3rd-6th graders is Friday, May 21st from 4-6 pm in front of the Lipan Bank. Hope you can stop by and pick up some goodies!
Church members who would like to make something for the bake sale, please have those items in the church fellowship hall by Friday at 3:30pm
Parents of kids: Bro. David will only be able to be at the Bake Sale from 4:00-4:30. Please let Bro. David know if you would be able to work the Bake Sale sometime between 4:30-6:00. Thanks!
Also, anyone interested in Kids Camp, it's not to late. Talk to Bro. David ASAP!

Mission Fest 2010

MissionFest basketball and washers tournaments are scheduled for Saturday at 8:30 am at the Lipan gym. Currently we do not have enough teams to have the tournaments. If you are interested, you must confirm today (Tuesday, May 18th) otherwise Missionfest will be canceled. Email david@fbclipan.net if you are thinking about playing. You may download registration forms at www.fbclipan.net Thanks!
If we have the tournaments, all proceeds will benefit our summer mission trip.
Senior Breakfast
This Sunday, we will honor our graduating seniors with a breakfast at 9:30. Seniors and families who are planning on attending should RSVP with Justin. His email address is justinsouthall@gmail.com. Also, church members who would like to make something for the breakfast should contact Justin as well.

Baccalaureate
Baccalaureate is Sunday night at 7:00p.m. for Lipan Seniors. Refreshments of cookies and punch will be served afterward. Brings cookies Sunday morning. If you would like to help serve cookies and punch, please contact Mattie Taylor.

Hope you are having a great week!

Posted via email from David Peacock

Doing Family God's Way: Back to the Beginning

2010-05-13T20:01:00.001-07:00

Back To The Begining by David Peacock
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5-9-10.mp3 (17856 KB)

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Excerpts from "Footprints of a Pilgrim: The Life and Love of Ruth Bell Graham"

2010-05-12T19:26:00.001-07:00

As a 17 year old upon a boat in the Pacific Ocean, Ruth wrote the following prayer:
If I marry: He must be so tall when he is on his knees, as one has said, he reaches all the way to Heaven.
His shoulders must be broad enough to bear the burden of a family.

His lips must be strong enough to smile, firm enough to say no, and tender enough to kiss.
His love must be so deep that it takes its stand in Christ and so wide that it takes in the whole world.

He must be big enough to be gentle and great enough to be thoughtful.
His arms must be strong enough to carry a little child.
A prayer that should be on the hearts of single Christian woman. This prayer led Ruth to Billy Graham!

Ruth's prayer one week into her first year of college:
Teach me contentment, Lord, whate'er my lot,
keeping my eyes on You in trust,
knowing Your love is true, Your way is just.

Teach discontentment, Lord, with what I am;
daily striving, growing daily nearer,
finding You are daily closer, dearer.
Contented, Lord, yet discontented make me,

both together working, blending
all in Your own glory ending.
Ruth's Prayer after she was engaged to marry Billy:
God, let me be all he ever dreamed of loveliness and laughter. Veil his eyes a bit because there are so many little flaws, somehow, God please let him see only the bride I long to be, remembering ever after - I was all he ever dreamed of loveliness and laughter.

Posted via email from David Peacock

The Vine and the Branches: Ever-increasing Fruitfulness

2010-05-12T11:19:00.001-07:00

The Vine And The Branches Part 2 by David Peacock
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The Vine and the Branches: Ever-increasing Fruitfulness

2010-05-12T10:48:00.003-07:00

Posted via email from FBC Lipan Sermons

The Vine and the Branches: Intimacy with Christ

2010-05-12T10:48:00.001-07:00

The Vine And The Brances Part 1 by David Peacock
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Funeral Services for Jonathan Moore

2010-05-06T15:53:00.001-07:00

Funeral Services for Jonathan Moore

Visitation - Friday, 6-8pm, Lipan Chapel

Lunch - Saturday, 11:00 am, First Baptist Lipan Fellowship Hall

Funeral - Saturday, 1:00 pm, First Baptist Lipan

Graveside - Saturday, 4:30 pm, New Castle

Posted via email from David Peacock

Biblical Truth in a Garbage Can

2010-04-28T09:06:00.001-07:00

So last night, about 3:00 a.m., I hear a clamor on the carport. Figuring it wasn't St. Nick, I supposed it was the local stray cats that for some reason choose to make our carport their ring for their cat-fights. Too tired to to spook them away, I ignore it and try to sleep. Sadly, I discover that it was worse than a cat fight. Much worse! Something had gotten into the garbage. And this wasn't just a garbage can with one or two bags; this was an already full, then let's clean out the refrigerator of left-overs, and still wait a couple of more days to dump kind of garbage can. Trash littered (isn't that the only thing trash can do?) the car port, drive-way, and side of the house. It was ugly, it smelled, and after picking up a bit, I realized it felt worse than it smelled! So I did the smart thing: grabbed my wife's gardening gloves. Well, it was smart until I announced it publicly where she can find out. (Actually, they were old gloves she let's the girls play with, I think?)
Picking up the trash, seeing how ugly it made things look, how bad it made things smell, and how bad it felt to touch, I was disgusted and angry at some local stray dog, then I was reminded of this Scripture:

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish (garbage!) that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness of God that depends on faith. Philippians 3:8-9

Paul wrote these words after stating that for meaning years he worked hard to build a spiritual resume that would guarantee his way to heaven. But after meeting Jesus and receiving Him as his personal Savior and Lord, Paul realized that none of his past good deeds and religious qualifications were sufficient to buy a ticket to heaven. He says, in fact, that his own good deeds were nothing but rubbish, garbage!

Imagine that, all the different things that we think we can do to earn God's favor and use to exchange for a ticket to heaven someday are nothing but garbage to God. Garbage that wild or stray dogs get into and make a mess of, in fact, that is exactly what Paul says: "Look out for the dogs!" (Philippians 3:1)

So the best we can do turns out no better than garbage? That's the bad news, but here is the good news. Even though we can't clean ourselves up, we can have Jesus' "cleanness" applied to us. "The righteousness which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith." When we place our faith in Jesus, God no longer sees the garbage of our lives, but the beauty of the treasure of the righteousness of Jesus. And then, as we serve Him and do good deeds, not in attempt to earn His favor but in response to His grace, what we do becomes to Him a beautiful fragrance.

Hmmm, so God can speak to us even through a trash can!

Posted via email from David Peacock

Prayer Request: Laura Morales

2010-04-24T08:11:00.001-07:00

Please be in prayer for Laura Morales. She has been in labor since Thursday at a birthing center. She is running a high fever and her blood pressure has gotten low. She has now been transferred to Huguley Hospital. Pray for both her and the baby's health.
Posted via email from David Peacock

Kacy's Experience

2010-04-22T14:54:00.001-07:00

Plan on being at FBC Lipan this Sunday night at 6:00 p.m., as Kacy Chandler will be sharing about her experiences in West Africa.
Hope to see you Sunday morning as well!
Hope you are having a great week! God Bless!
David

Posted via email from David Peacock

Steven Curtis Chapman - "Cinderella

2010-04-17T11:42:00.001-07:00

Posted via email from David Peacock

MissionFest 2010: 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament & 2 on2 Washers Tournament

2010-04-15T11:04:00.001-07:00

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Mission Fest 2010.pdf (156 KB)

Click download above to print the sign-up form

Posted via email from David Peacock

Summer Calendar

2010-04-15T10:55:00.001-07:00

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Mission Fest 2010.pdf (260 KB)

Just a Quick overview of our Summer Activities. Take not of the attached MissionFest Flyer
ChurchWide Fellowship: Saturday, May 1st, 5:00pm to Sunset
Brisket / Sides / Hayride / Smores

Cost: $5.00 adults, $3 Kids
Sign-up across from church office & pay when you arrive.
Mission Trip to Galveston: June 6th-11th
We have two more fund raisers for Mission Trip: This Sunday, April 18th we will have a Baked Potato Lunch (includes salad, dessert, and tea) following our morning service. The suggested donation is $5 for adults and $2 for kids. Also, we will have MissionFest 2010 on Saturday, May 22nd. This will be a 3 on 3 basketball tournament as well as a 2 on2 washers tournament. Help spread the word. I'm attaching the sign-up form to this email.

We will have preparations meetings every 2 weeks beginning April 25th. If you are still interested in going, talk with Justin or me asap.
Youth Camp (7th-12th grade): June 21-25

The price after the church pays $50 is $165. Listen for fundraisers that will help the cost. Scholarships are avialbe but you must participate in fundraisers to be eligible.
Sign-up and pay your $50 deposit by May 2nd

Kids Camp (3rd-6th grade): July 20th-24th
The price after the church pays $50 is $110. Listen for fundraisers that will help lower the cost. Scholarships are avialbe but you must participate in fundraisers to be eligible.

Sign-up and pay your $50 deposit by May 2nd
Vacation Bible School: July 26th-30th
Have a great week & see ya Sunday!

David

Posted via email from David Peacock

Serving God in a Hostile World

2010-04-15T10:31:00.001-07:00

Serving God In A Hostile World by David Peacock
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4-11-10.mp3 (6397 KB)

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Serving God in a Hostile World.pdf (83 KB)

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The Incredible Claims of Jesus

2010-04-08T11:23:00.001-07:00

The Incredible Claims Of Jesus by David Peacock
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4-4-10.mp3 (9439 KB)

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claims of Jesus.pdf (452 KB)

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Anger, Depression, & Anxiety

2010-04-06T12:05:00.001-07:00

Anger, depression, and anxiety are natural responses that can grow within us as we encounter this fallen world. Still, they are not the responses that the Holy Spirit is at work in our life to develop. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, & self-control." Galatians 5:22-23 As the Spirit is working to replace anger, depression, and anxiety in our lives with the fruit of the Spirit, Let us prayerfully consider what the Lord says about these things in His Word.
Anger
Psalm 37:7-8
Proverbs 14:29; 15:18; 16:32

Matthew 5:21-24
Galatians 5:19-25
Ephesians 4:26-27; 31-32

Colossians 3:7-8; 12
James 1:19-20
Depression
Psalm 30:11-12
Psalm 43
Matthew 5:4
2 Corinthians 4:8-9; 16-18
Worry
Matthew 7:25-34

Philippians 4:4-7
What do these verses teach about anger? Depression? Worry?
How do these verses teach us to handle anger? Depression? Worry?

Do theses verses teach us anything about what causes anger? Depression? Worry?
Do these verses teach us about the consequences of anger? Depression? Worry?

How do things verses apply specifically to your situation?
Advice from Dr. David Penley on what to do when you feel depressed (application may also be made to anger and worry):

1. Pray to God and ask Him to help you not to let depression keep you from performing tasks you need to perform. Praise Him for His help at this time. (Ephesians 5:20; Philippians 4:6-7
2. Ask God to show you any sinful actions or attitudes you need to confess. (1 John 1:9)
3. Get up and perform the tasks you have in front of you. Do not put them off. Do them whether you feel like it or not (1 Kings 19:4-8, 15-16). If you have no specific task, use the time to study God's Word. Have a Bible study plan that you can turn to at such times.

4. Do not yourself at this point slip into avoidance techniques, i.e., sleep, watching TV, etc. Do not let yourself do those things until you have completed the assigned task.
5. Establish accountability, if necessary. Have someone you can call on who will encourage you when the feelings seem to be winning the battle. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 3:13)

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The Reality of the Resurrection

2010-04-01T10:18:00.001-07:00

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resurrection.pdf (51 KB)

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The Reality of the Resurrection

2010-04-01T10:14:00.001-07:00

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Love One Another

2010-04-01T09:39:00.001-07:00

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Love One Another by David Peacock
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3-28-09.mp3 (6159 KB)

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Love One Another.pdf (123 KB)

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One Day / O Glorious Day

2010-04-01T08:20:00.001-07:00

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer,
One Day the stone rolled away from the door,
Then He arose, over death He had conquered;
Now is ascended, my Lord evermore!
Living He Love Me;

Dying He saved me;
Buried, He carried my sins far away;
Rising , He justified freely forever:
One day He's coming -
O Glorious day!
Words by J. Wilbur Chapman (1859-1918)

Special Thanks to Jeff Johnson for reviving a song that should be on our lips!

Posted via email from David Peacock

The God Who Washes Feet and Hearts

2010-03-22T21:07:00.001-07:00

The God Who Washes Feet And Hearts by David Peacock
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3-21-09.mp3 (6965 KB)

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The God who washes feet 2.pdf (115 KB)

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The God Who Washes Feet and Hearts

2010-03-22T11:50:00.001-07:00

The God Who Washes Feet And Hearts by David Peacock
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3-21-09.mp3 (6965 KB)

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The God who washes feet 2.pdf (115 KB)

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Ten Spiritual Lessons We Learn From Kids

2010-03-21T14:31:00.001-07:00

Mark 10:13-16
1. Kids stop and smell the flowers; they are amazed by our Father's World.
Psalm 19:1-6; Romans 1:20

2. Kids imitate their parents.
1 Peter 1:14-15
3. Kids trust their parents to provide for them.
Matthew 6:26; 7:9-11
4. Kids feel safe knowing their parents are near.
Psalm 56:3
5. Kids need discipline.
Hebrews 12:5-11
6. Kids are always learning and growing.

Hebrews 5:12-14; 1 Peter 2:2-3
7. Kids do not want to grieve their parents.
Ephesians 4:30
8. Kids are loved by their parents unconditionally.

Romans 8:35-39
9. Kids show us our value is not in our abilities and accomplishments.
1 Corinthians 1:26-30
10. Kids remind us that the Gospel - Good News of Jesus - is wonderfully simple.

John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; Colossians 2:6
Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Spiritual maturity is not moving past this, but deeper into this.

Posted via email from David Peacock

The God Who Washes Feet - Part 2

2010-03-20T19:19:00.001-07:00

John 13:6-11; 18-30
When Jesus knelt to wash the feet of His disciples, not only did he teach us about servant-hood, he also taught us about our need to be be made clean by him.

1. Only those who are cleansed by Jesus are truly God's people and have the promise of eternal life.
No matter what culture may say, the Bible says that the only way we can be made right with God is through a personal relationship with Jesus. He told Peter, "If I don't wash you, you will have no part of me." We are all stained with sin but the blood of Jesus can make us white as snow.

Many of us carry the burden of guilt because of past sins, mistakes, and failures. In the movie, Seven Pounds, Will Smith's character makes it obvious he carries the weight and guilt of a past mistake in his life. He tries earnestly to redeem himself.

No matter how hard we try, we cannot wash away the stain of sin. But Jesus can.
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1

2. Confession and repentance are needed for a Christian's ongoing spiritual growth.
There is a difference between justification and sanctification that we need to understand. Justification is God's declaring us right with Him the moment we place our faith in Jesus. Nothing can change this. Sanctification is the process by which the Holy Spirit transforms into the likeness of Jesus. One happens in a moment. The other in a life-time. Peter did not need to be washed (justified) again. That happens once in the life of a believer. He would need to confess and repent of sin throughout his life. Hence, he would need his feet washed but not his whole body.

A genuine Christian cannot lose his salvation; but he can lose the joy and assurance of his salvation and a close experiential relationship with Jesus.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

"Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit." Psalm 51:12
3. External religious activity will never cleanse the stain of sin from your life, only a genuine heart-centered, relationship with Jesus can do that.

Judas walked with Jesus for 3 years. He ate with Jesus. He had his feet washed by Jesus. Still, the externals meant nothing since his heart was cleansed through genuine faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord. His heart was motivated by greed, power, national freedom, not love for Jesus.

Sunday School, church attendance, baptism, Christian relatives, will not make you right with God. Only Jesus!
Have you come to a point where your responded to God's gracious offer of salvation? Have you chosen to make Jesus your Savior and Lord by sincerely asking Him into your life?

4. If you do not give Jesus the throne of your heart, Satan will eventually take it.
In verse 2, the devil put it into the heart of Judas to betray Jesus. In verse 27, Satan entered the heart of Judas. Continual hypocrisy, rejection of Jesus, compromising of truth will harden our heart towards God and open our life to the influence of Satan.

Continuing to sin makes it easier to sin as we no longer are affected by our conscience. The Bible calls this a seared conscience, reprobate mind. (Romans 1:28; 1 Timothy 4:2)
There are two ways to relieve your guilt:
1. Harden your heart to truth until you no longer care. This leads to death.
2. Give your heart to Jesus and let Him cleanse it!

Posted via email from David Peacock

Remember the Alamo. Greater still, remember Jesus.

2010-03-19T10:24:00.001-07:00

While on vacation in San Antonio, we only spent a couple of hours in the downtown area, and even though we were on the opposite side of downtown, I told Sunshine there is something wrong with coming to San Antonio and not going by the Alamo. So we made the long walk down the River Walk with the girls and took a few snapshots.
Remembering the Alamo, causes a solemn sense of appreciation, gratitude, and love to arise in one's soul for not only the men who gave their lives at the Alamo, but the men and women serving around the world for the sake of freedom - the freedom that allows me to walk down a River Walk, to stand in front of an old mission turned fort turned museum, and to marvel at God's creatures at Sea World with my family. I would gladly make such a sacrifice for the family I love; but for someone else who doesn't even know me to make this sacrifice for me and my family, words fall short to express appropriate honor they deserve.

As I consider the writing on plaques surrounding the Alamo, those that gave their lives, and those that risk their lives still today, I am reminded of the greatest sacrifice ever made; that of Jesus giving His life for me. I'm also reminded of His call upon my life to die to self daily for His Kingdom. Let these Scriptures speak to us:

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." Matthew 16:24-25

Then Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." Acts 21:13

And this thought by Tertullian

The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.

Remember the Alamo! Greater still, remember Jesus!

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from David Peacock

San Antonio Vacation March 2010

2010-03-16T12:07:00.001-07:00

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from David Peacock

Bertrand Russell vs The Apostle Paul

2010-03-15T18:58:00.001-07:00

"There is darkness without and when I die there will be darkness within. There is no splendor, no vastness anywhere, only triviality for a moment, and then nothing." Bertrand Russell
"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Paul, Philippians 1:21
I side with Paul.
Posted via email from David Peacock

Chesterton on the Beauty of the Ordinary

2010-03-14T19:56:00.001-07:00

Many times the beauty and awe of the ordinary - a sunrise, a star-lit night, the smile of our spouse, the laughter of children, the singing of birds, the smell of a flower - become so familiar that we no longer appreciate them. G.K. Chesterton challenges us to fight against having our spirits numbed by familiarity. He challenges us to become more like children and our Heavenly Father on this issue.
Children always say, "Do it again"; and the grown-up person does it again until he is nearly dead. For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony. But perhaps God is strong enough to exult in monotony. It is possible that God says every morning, "Do it again" to the sun; and every evening, "Do it again" to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daises alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that he has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we.

   G. K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy
May God give us a child-like view of everyday beauty that propels us to rejoice in His creative genius.

Posted via email from David Peacock

Brought To Our Knees by God

2010-03-13T08:20:00.001-08:00

More Evil Than Unbelievers

This morning I am reading about Manasseh (2 Chronicles 33) who regined as king of Judah from 687-642 B.C. Most of his reign was marked by a tragic display of evil, arrogance, and idolatry. His father Hezekiah sought to lead religious reforms to turn Judah back to the Lord; Mannessah led the people to abandon the Lord and turn to idols: gods made by man. He sought wisdon from fortune-telling and sorcery instead of God. Mannessah even sacrificed his own sons as burnt offerings to false gods. When the Lord sent prophets to call Manasseh to repent, "he paid no attention." The Scriptures declare, "Mannesah led Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem astray, to do more evil than the nations whom the Lord destroyed before the people of Israel."

Those who bore the name of God were more evil than unbeleivers! Those called to reflect God's light displayed the darkness of Satan!

Hits Rock-bottom

Because of Manasseh's sin, God brought judgement on Judah through the powerful and evil naiton Assyria. Bound with chains, Manasseh was taken captive to Babylon. Manasseh had two choices, the same two choices any of us have when life hits rock-bottom. He could continue to live with an evil, self-indulgent, hardened-towards-God heart, or he could humble himself, fall to his knees, and cry out to the one true God who is ruler of the universe. Listen to the Scriptures:

And he was in distress, he entreated the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. He prayed to him, and God was moved by his entreaty and heard his plea and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manesseh knew that the Lord was God. 2 Chronicles 33:13

What About You

Is your heart hard towards God? Do you refuse to listen when He calls you to Himself? Have you hit rock-bottom? What will you have to go through to come to know that the Lord is God and that He is our only hope? Maybe by doing things your own way, you have lost everything that meant most to you; could it be that if your turned to the Lord, he would restore that which was good in your life?

Posted via email from David Peacock

George Mueller on Happiness in God

2010-03-12T17:10:00.001-08:00

According to my judgement the most important point to be attended to is this: above all things see to it that your souls are happy in the Lord. Other things may press upon you, the Lord's work may even have urgent claims upon your attention, but I deliberately repeat, it is of supreme and paramount importance that you should seek above all things to have yours souls truly happy in God Himself! Day by day seek to make this the most importnat business of your life.
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