Faith Focus for December 26

December: Being Meek

Psalm 22:26
The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.

"The person who bears and suffers evils with meekness and silence, is the sum of a Christian." - John Wesley

Faith Focus for December 19

December: Being Meek

Philippians 2:8
And being found in fashiona as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

"Christ is the humility of God embodied in human nature; the Eternal Love humbling itself, clothing itself in the garb of meekness... to... save us." Andrew Murray

Faith Focus for December 12

December: Being Meek

1 Peter 3:4
But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

"The meek man has accepted God's estimate of his own life: in himself, nothing; in God, everything." - A. W. Tozer

Understanding the Early Years of Adulthood - Part Four

Career Field—

What will you spend your life doing? There are many noble things to do with your life. Ministry is good. Faithful Christians in secular fields are vital also. The question is not “what do you want to do?” As we’ll see later, that can be a dangerous way to think. The question is—what is your destiny? What were you made to do? What fulfills your eternal purpose for being on this planet? When you answer that question, you will be truly happy.

Chances are you know what you want. Scary thing is you may or may not be right. I mean, what you think you want may be absolutely wrong for your destiny. In which case, you won’t know it until a few years down the road—probably after you exit the mistake zone. So, you will have to make a choice, but you have no real way of knowing that what you want is what God wants. Sounds too bizarre for reality, but it’s true. The world is full of elderly people who never really found their purpose for being alive. You don’t have to become one of them.

Marriage—

Who will you marry? What kind of person will you marry—I mean, beyond “pretty” or “handsome”? Come on, go a little deeper than that. How will you know this person is emotionally stable? How will you be guaranteed you won’t end up deserted, cheated on, or left hanging out to dry? Thousands of couples every year, who once stood at a wedding altar madly in love, stand in a living room beating each other’s brains out or stand in a courtroom fighting over cars and kids. People who once dreamed of living in love for the rest of their lives now live in hate. How can that happen? What makes you exempt? No one thinks it will happen to them.

Your marriage will not be perfect. At best it will be a solid relationship that forges through trials to become a refined lifetime love. That’s at best. No marriage is easy, and no marriage just falls into perfect place. Happy marriages and lifetime loves are discovered through years of commitment and personal change. But happy marriages are worth fighting for. They are always happier after the forging process than they were before it. The whole relationship gets better over time, but how will you know for sure that you’ve got someone committed to loving that intensely?

How will this person treat your children? How will they respond when you do something stupid? How will they spend money or keep the house? What will it take to really make them “ticked off.” Just what does this person do when he or she is “ticked off”? What will he or she want to do with the rest of your life?

All of these questions are huge, and most of them cannot be answered for certain until after you’re married! Isn’t that great news! You’ll get married, and then you’ll start to really get to know the person you married. About ten years later, if you are one of the few that make it, you’ll feel like you’re starting to get to know your spouse, and you’ll thank God you followed Him—or you’ll wish you had.

Don’t freak out and say something foolish like “I’m never getting married.” In reality, marriage is awesome. It’s just not what pop-culture would lead you to believe. It’s something much different and actually much better.

The great part is God has a plan for making sure you get the right person! I'll deal with that in another post. So for now, don’t sweat it and trust the Lord.

Faith Focus for December 5

December: Being Meek

Matthew 11:29
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

When God gave Jesus to us, we clothed Him in rags. When Jesus gave us to God, He clothed us in righteousness.

Faith Focus for November 28

December: Being Meek

Psalm 37:11
But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

Meekness is power under control.

Faith Focus for November 21

November: Being Content

1 Chronicles 16:34
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

Being thankful for the blessings of God extends them. Failing to be thankful ends them.

Faith Focus for November 14

November: Being Content

Proverbs 29:25
The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

"If my life is surrendered to God, all is well. Let me not grab it back, as though it were in peril in His hand but would be safer in mine." - Elisabeth Elliot

20 Qualities to Pursue - Part Two

See Part One

Here are the final ten:
11. Learn to make good decisions Biblically. Consider how you make decisions. Are they based upon emotion, impulse, and personal desires? Or are they based upon God’s Word, the leading of the Spirit, and the wise thing to do? Learn to do the right thing no matter how hard it is or what it costs.
12. Learn to control your temper. People who cannot control themselves do hurtful things to others. God wants us to be angry at sin but loving towards people.
13. Learn to have a great testimony. Past friendships, past trouble, present friends, dress, music, lifestyle, posture, countenance, habits, and outward appearances all impact what others think of you. This is called your name or your testimony, and you must learn to protect it. God says, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold” (Proverbs 22:1).
14. Learn to work hard. Life is hard work, especially family life. Even church life, if you are in a position of ministry, takes hard work. Take value in the work you do. If you wait until the last minute, sloppily do your work, and then don’t care about the outcome, you’re developing lazy character. Learn how to pour your best into everything you’re given to do. Develop a solid work ethic, and don’t be afraid of hard work.
15. Learn to take care of your body. Stay healthy, eat right, and discipline yourself. Your body belongs to God and is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Bad health habits will greatly limit your usefulness to God.
16. Learn to tithe and to trust God. If a man will rob from God, that man should not be trusted. Of everything that God gives to you, give Him back at least ten percent through your church.
17. Learn to be real and sincere. Stop playing games, and refuse to be a hypocrite. Too many young adults act one way around friends and another way around authorities. This will only make your future worse!
18. Learn to be understanding and accepting of others. Not everybody is just like you or your close friends. That doesn’t make you better. Godly people love and treat everybody with decency and respect.
19. Learn to get along with others. Some people seem to relish conflict. Like that Charlie Brown character, Pig Pen, everywhere they go they have a little dust cloud of fights, gossip, and strife following them. When there is no strife, they make it up—it’s like Dracula needing blood! They must have it. Don’t be this way and don’t spend time with these people.
20. Learn to have discernment and discretion. Discernment is the ability to perceive and see things through God’s wisdom. Discretion is knowing what to say, how to say it, and when to say it. This is the opposite of being obnoxious, foolish, flirtatious, and boisterous. It’s not having to be the center of attention, but letting God be the center of attention. For a young lady, the Bible calls this a “meek and quiet spirit” (1 Peter 3:4).

Understanding the Early Years of Adulthood - Part Three

Friends—
Who will you hang around and spend time with? Who will you be like and be associated with? What kind of person do you want to become? Who will you decide you want acceptance from and why even care about acceptance? These issues are very significant. People will judge you based upon the people you spend time with. “Not fair,” you might think. Wrong. It’s completely fair, and you do the same thing. You’re human, and God makes it clear that man looks at the outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7).
“Yeah, but God looks at the heart,” you argue.
Yeah, but man looks at the outward appearance. People only have what you give them to formulate their opinion of you. If it’s a bad opinion, it’s probably your fault. Don’t go blaming everyone else for misjudging you. Take a look in the mirror and study what you’re giving them to work with. Start with a good look at your friends.
The fact is people are right in judging you this way because you will become like the people you spend time with. So rather than looking for who’s cool, who’s “in,” or who’s acceptable, start looking for who you want to be like and be associated with and make them your friends. Hopefully, those people will be people who are faithful to God and serving Him. This decision determines who you will be like which again has profound effects on everything else—who will marry you, who will hire you, who will help you in time of trial…on and on.

20 Qualities to Pursue - Part One

1. Learn to be spiritual. Seek first God’s kingdom (Matthew 6:33). Desire to do God’s will more than anything. Be involved in winning others, serving God, and walking faithfully.

2. Learn to develop godly character. This is subconsciously doing right, or, as someone put it, “right by reflex.” This includes the ability to say no to sin, get up on time, be on time, etc. Character is who you are when no one is around.

3. Learn to be loyal. Start with God and authorities. Be loyal to your church and pastor. Learn to take a stand and to speak in defense of those who love you. Don’t put up with gossip and bad attitudes.

4. Learn to treat your family well. If you treat your parents and siblings right, you will one day treat your spouse and children right.

5. Learn stability. Learn how to be content and to wait on God. Don’t be constantly reconsidering good decisions, looking for the next fun thing, or changing your mind about what you believe. Learn to establish your heart in God—don’t have a “plan B.” Be constant and consistent—in your attitude, your service, your respect, and your treatment of others. Learn to not quit when things get tough!

6. Learn to develop convictions. Do you know what you believe and why? It’s time to establish your own convictions and personal standards (with the help of godly authorities). Learn to stand on what is right and not to waver. Have convictions as strong as those of the guy or girl to whom you may be attracted!

7. Learn to look sharp. Have a clean and appropriate appearance. Learn to dress right for various occasions. Guys—keep a short haircut, dress sharp, and avoid worldly styles. Cut your nails, wash your hands, polish your shoes, iron your shirts. Girls—be modest, feminine, and godly in your appearance.

8. Learn to set and pursue goals. Set your direction in life. Decide what you would like to learn, read, do, and experience to become the right person. Set goals for sharing the Gospel with people, serving God faithfully, giving, and helping others—and then pursue those goals until they are fulfilled. Then set new goals! Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is no vision, the people perish….” Today’s average high school senior upon graduation has no idea what to be or do. This is is usually due to a poor walk with God. I'm not saying you have to know exactly what you are going to be or do; but start taking inventory of how the Holy Spirit has gifted you and check your desires to see if they line up with Scripture. Then be in ceaseless prayer and counsel from godly, Biblical authorities as you seriously consider the direction the Lord may be leading you.

9. Learn to be unselfish and submissive. Begin to live for others. Give other people their way in areas where it will not compromise Truth, just because you want to be nice. Think of others before yourself. This is what it takes to have a strong family someday.

10. Learn to be respectful and attentive. Build great listening skills in church, in school, or when another person is speaking.

Faith Focus for November 7

November: Being Content

2 Corinthians 10:12
For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

Nothing will destroy contentment like comparison.

Understanding the Early Years of Adulthood – Part Two

Your job—
Where will you work through young adulthood? Most people get some small job in high school that causes them to face a lot of life-shaping questions. Will you work on Sundays? So many young adults get so infatuated with getting their first few paychecks that they will kiss Sunday church goodbye for the first minimum wage offer that comes along. They love the sound of being able to say “I have to work.” There’s something very adult-ish about that.

How much is God worth to you? You’ll find out when you get your first job. I’ve seen dozens of teens set God aside for a few bucks with seemingly no thought of it. I’ve seen hundreds of others take their stand for God, and God always meets their needs—always—usually with better jobs! In the process, their faith grows, and a solid foundation of faith for future decisions begins to form.

So, if you don’t have a job, before you get your job, even if you have a job now, choose now to stay in church regardless. Starter jobs are easy to find. Good workers are hard to find, and God will provide better for you than you will for yourself. Keep Him first, and watch Him work it out. If you have a job now that requires you to miss Sunday church, talk to your manager, get your parent’s and pastor’s advice, and even consider putting in your notice if you have to. Put God to the test, and let Him prove Himself to you. Stepping out in faith is easier now than it will ever be, and you’ll need the valuable foundation of faith for bigger decisions in your future. In other words, learn to trust God with $6.50 an hour, and it will be easier to trust Him with $80,000 a year, when your kids will be watching you.

People who refuse to trust God when they are young never develop the foundation of faith that they need when bigger storms and harder tests come their way. Remember David and Goliath? David trusted God with the bear and the lion, which made it easier for him to trust God with Goliath. The same principle will work for you.

You’ve got to realize that you need church! It’s God’s ordained institution for meeting your spiritual needs. You cannot be right with Him if you are not faithful to a Bible-believing, Independent Baptist church. It’s simple, and it’s in the Bible. Hebrews 10:25 says, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” What happens at church is what will keep you spiritually healthy and growing. You need church as much as you need your next meal—and a lot more than you need a paycheck.

On your job, will you stand for right? Will you laugh at dirty jokes and accept invitations to wild parties? Will you be a credible testimony for Christ, or will you quietly hide your Christianity for the myth of acceptance? What will you do for money? What will you do with your money? These values and more start coming into focus with the starting of your first job and will determine a wide variety of details about your adult life.

Understanding the Early Years of Adulthood - Part One

Most people believe that you just have to go through this “mistake zone,” (approximately ages 17 to 27) and you’ll learn the hard way. Of course, most young adults “box themselves in” by refusing to hear any advice from godly people who care. So, they are condemned to “learn the hard way.”

Honestly, adult life is a big enough adjustment, and there’s no sense in carrying baggage that you don’t have to carry. Over the next several posts I’ll examine each of the major decisions you’ll face in the upcoming years and try to grasp just what you’re up against.

Here are two BIG ONES:

College—This is probably your first major decision to conquer. Which one? What kind? Where? The college you choose will most likely lead to the person you marry, the career field you pursue, and the friends you keep. This will determine where you live, what you will do with the rest of your life, who you become like, and whose children you have. This will determine who your grandkids will be and who their kids will be…and so on. Whoa…big stuff. This is definitely a major decision that you want to get right!

Dating—What kind of person will you date? If “looks” are your primary criteria, you’re headed for a world of misery. (Although, I wouldn’t go so far as to tell you to marry someone ugly.) Believe me, when you meet God’s match for you, you’ll think this is the best looking person on the planet. That’s an easy one for God.

What guidelines will you follow in your dating life? Who will you give an account to? If you are “out from under” your parents, you need to give account to your pastor. How will you keep from ruining your testimony? Will your dating life reflect Christ and help you become a better Christian? These questions will formulate the basis for choosing a spouse, a life’s mate. This is huge!

Will you date a non-Christian? If God is real and your faith is real, then your family must be founded upon eternal values. God’s Word is the blueprint for the family and the glue that holds it together. If you don’t at least have true faith in common, you’re headed for sure disaster. God says in Amos 3:3, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” and 2 Corinthians 6:14 says, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” By the way, don’t fall for the trap that you can date this person and win him to Christ. Win him to Christ, see him discipled to faithfulness—then date him. Very few people succeed with dating as an outreach. It’s never right to do wrong to do right.

Faith Focus for October 31

November: Being Content

2 Corinthians 9:15
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

"As long as a man is alive and out of hell, he cannot have any cause to complain." - Charles H. Spurgeon

Faith Focus for October 24

October: Being Compassionate

Psalm 78:38
But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.

"Compassion will cure more sins than condemnation." - Henry Ward Beecher

Faith Focus for October 17

October: Being Compassionate

Lamentations 3:22
It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
"Man may dismiss compassion from his heart, but God never will." - Willima Cowper

Faith Focus for October 10

October: Being Compassionate

1 John 3:17
But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

"You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving." - Amy Carmichael

Faith Focus for October 3

October: Being Compassionate

1 Peter 3:8
Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

God's grace motivates, purifies, and encourages His people. Were it not for His grace we would be a harsh and helpless people.

Faith Focus for September 26

September: Being Responsible

1 Kings 2:3
And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prospera in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:

Faith isn't a force to make God do my will. It's total trust and faithfulness as God does His will.

Faith Focus for September 19

September: Being Responsible

Matthew 25:21
...Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things:

I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble. - Helen Keller

Faith Focus for September 12

September: Being Responsible

Romans 14:12
So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anybody expects of you.

Faith Focus for September 5

September: Being Responsible

Colossians 1:18
And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that inb all things he might have the preeminence.

Life is more about scheduling our priorities than prioritizing our schedule.

Faith Focus for August 29

September: Being Responsible

Colossians 3:23
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

It takes less time to do a thing right than it does to explain why you did it wrong. - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Faith Focus for August 22

August: Being Teachable

Psalm 119:71
It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

Sometimes adversity is what you need to face in order to become successful. - Zig Ziglar

Faith Focus for August 15

August: Being Teachable

Matthew 4:19
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

God isn't looking for people of great faith, but for individuals ready to follow Him. - Hudson Taylor

Faith Focus for August 8

August: Being Teachable

2 Peter 3:18
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning. - Benjamin Franklin

New FRMBC Ministry Theme

Faith Focus for August 1

August: Being Teachable

Psalm 119:73
Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.

A surrendered will does more to make the Bible an open book than a university education. - R.A. Torrey

Faith Focus for July 25

July: Being an Ambassador

Acts 1:8a
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me..."

If God sends us on strong paths, He will provide us with strong shoes.

Steps of Inductive Bible Study

Here is a basic outline of Inductive Bible Study:

I. Basic Steps of Inductive Bible Study
A. Observation
-What does the Bible say?
B. Interpretation
-What does the passage mean?
C. Application
-What does the passage say to me?
II. Observation
•Who is the author?
•Whom is it about?
•When does it take place?
•What are the key words (nouns, verbs)?
•What key words/phrases are repeated?
•What is being compared? (like, as)
•What is being contrasted? (but)
•What are the cause/effect relationships? (therefore, for)
•What form is used? (parable, narrative, poetry)
III. Interpretation
•How is the passage affected by its biblical/historical setting?
•How does the passage relate to its context?
•How does this passage compare with other related passages?
•What terms or ideas need to be researched?
•Summarize the passage/paragraph in one sentence. (BIG idea)
IV. Application
•Sin to confess?
•Promise to claim?
•Attitude to change?
•Command to obey?
•Example to follow?
•Prayer to pray?
•Error to avoid?
•Truth to believe?
•Something to praise God for?

Faith Focus for July 18

July: Being an Ambassador

Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Anything done in your own strength will fail miserably, or succeed even more miserably.

Faith Focus for July 11

July: Being an Ambassador

Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;

When the world looks at your life as a Christian, do they think "question mark" or "statement"?

Faith Focus for July 4

July: Being an Ambassador

1 Peter 2:21
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for ush, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
I am prepared to go anywhere, provided it be forward. - David Livingstone

How To Enjoy Your Summer

Adapted from an article by: Gabriel Ruhl
This is a message that I preached in chapel to help our students prepare for the summer months.
The principles in it would be good for all of us.
1. Schedule
Proverbs 6:6-11
6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
Don’t sleep in!
Have a daily walk with God.
Be faithful in church attendance.
2. Uphold
Ezekiel 22:30
And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
Proverbs 4:23
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Cell phones:
• 10 minutes a day of talk and text
• Never use in a room alone
• Never use a cell phone to call the opposite gender
• Give it to your parents every night by 10:00 p.m.
• Turn it off during church!
• Give it to your parents for a set time if you stumble
Obey.
Stay accountable.
Never watch TV without supervision.
Don’t access a computer without supervision.
Don’t access the internet without a safeguard.
3. Ministry
Hebrews 10:25
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Attend everything—Sunday school, morning service, evening service, midweek service, youth activities, camp—everything!
Develop a walk with God.
Determine how much Bible reading and prayer you will do each day.
Scripture memorization:
• Use 3x5 cards
• Work on the verses you know
Serve in a church ministry; get involved!
4. Mature
Luke 2:52
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
Read at least one good book this summer! (Get it approved by a godly authority.)
Learn something new.
Practice!
5. Employment
Proverbs 26:13-16
13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
Get a job!
Learn to work!
Save 80% of each paycheck.
Set goals in this area.
6. Relationships
Ephesians 6:1-3
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
Don’t date as a teenager.
Enjoy your family!
Enjoy your friends at church!

Faith Focus for June 27

June: Being an Example

Psalm 119:9
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

The most valuable gift you can give another person is a good example.

Faith Focus for June 20

June: Being an Example

Micah 6:8
...what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walkb humbly with thy God?

"A holy life will make the deepest impression. Lighthouses blow no horns; they just shine." - D.L. Moody

Faith Focus for June 13

June: Being an Example

Romans 12:21
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

We may not be able to always choose what we see or hear, but we can choose what we look at and listen to.

Faith Focus for June 6

June: Being an Example

2 Samuel 10:12
"Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God

Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened.

Faith Focus for May 30

June: Being an Example

Matthew 25:23
"His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant..."

"Well done is better than well said." - Benjamin Franklin

Faith Focus for May 23

May: Being a Disciple

Matthew 28:20
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

He who has the Holy Spirit in his heart and the Scripture in his hands has all he needs.

Faith Focus for May 16

May: Being a Disciple

Psalm 119:2-3
2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole eart. 3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.

God is ot interested in simply having His name on the cover of the book you call your life. He wants to be on every page in the book!

Faith Focus for May 9

May: Being a Disciple

James 1:22
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Never think that Jesus commanded a trifle, nor dare to trifle with anything He has commanded. - D.L. Moody

Faith Focus for April 2

May: Being a Disciple

Luke 14:27
And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

God doesn't use us according to our ability but according to our availability.

Faith Focus for April 25

April: Being an Encourager

Romans 12:15
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

To ease another's heartache is to forget one's own. - Abraham Lincoln

Faith Focus for April 18

April: Being an Encourager

Hebrews 10:24
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.

The truly good do good works for no other reason than for the glory of God.

Faith Focus for April 11

April: Being an Encourager

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together , and edify one another...

Success is when I add value to myself. Significance is when I add value to others. Godliness is when I add value to God and His place in my life.

Faith Focus for April 4

April: Being an Encourager

Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.

Faith Focus for March 28

March: Being a Steward

John 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

Our greatest regrets will not be related to the things we've done, but rather the things we left undone.

Faith Focus for March 21

March: Being a Steward

1 Thessalonians 2:4
But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

God can give through you what He wouldn't give to you, if He knows He can trust you.

Faith Focus for March 14

March: Being a Steward

Colossians 3:23
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

In stewardship no man can perform the duty of another. No proxy is allowed or possible. Stewardship involves personal responsibility.

Faith Focus for March 7

March: Being a Steward

Deuteronomy13:3b
...for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

Things which matter most should never be at the mercy of thing which matter least.

Faith Focus for February 28

March: Being a Steward

James 1:5
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

The great tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer. - F.B. Meyer

Faith Focus for February 21

February: Being a Friend

Proverbs 13:20
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company. - George Washington

Know Where You're Going

In November, 1975, seventy-five convicts started digging a secret tunnel designed to bring them up at the other side of the wall of Saltillo Prison in northern Mexico. On April 18, 1976, they tunneled up into the nearby courtroom in which many of them had been sentenced. The surprised judges returned all 75 to jail.

Many teens and young adults are like those convicts, they don't like a particular situation they are in so they just start digging with no, or little direction. They think that as long as they are not in the uncomfortable situation that they were in, they are safe. More often than not they end up back in the same situation only in worse condition. What you need to do is to humble yourself before God; He will guide you. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Like the Psalmist, you should exclaim to the Father, "For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me."

When you follow God's guidance, you know you are where God wants you, whether you are moving or staying in one place. Instead of praying, "Lord, what do you want me to do next?" ask, "Lord, what do you want me to do while I'm right here?" Direction from God is not just for your next "big" move. He has a purpose in placing you where you are right now. This is especially important when considering God's purpose for you as He has placed you in a New Testament Baptist Church. It is important for you to understand God's purpose for your life as you hear and heed the preaching and teaching of His Word. It is also important to submit to His purpose.

Sometimes situations may be uncomfortable, but God makes no mistakes. He has a purpose and He uses the circumstances He places you in to bring you to spiritual maturity. Escapism is never the answer. Following God's principles is the only response that will lead to spiritual victory and freedom from the bondage of sinful reactions.

As my pastor used to say, "What happens to you is not as significant as what happens within you." Be sure your attitude and actions lineup with biblical principles rather than your feelings. Then you will experience the peace of mind that comes from a life of obedience to God, no matter what circumstances come your way. Don't just dig, dig with biblical direction and purpose. Freedom, true freedom will be the result.

Faith Focus for February 14

February: Being a Friend

Proverbs 18:24
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

One of the best ways to keep friendship is to return it.

Faith Focus for February 7

February: Being a Friend

John 15:13
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

The better part of one's life consists of his friendships. - Abraham Lincoln.

Faith Focus for January 31

February: Being a Friend

Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good toh the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

I will speak ill of no man, and speak all the good I know of everybody. - Benjamin Franklin

Faith Focus for January 24

January: Being a Leader

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

True passion involves doing what is right and allowing the emotions to come later.

Faith Focus for January 17

January: Being a Leader

Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

If faith is the vehicle by which we please God, then when He stretches our faith, He stretches our capacity to please Him.

Faith Focus for January 10

January: Being a Leader

James 4:10
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Making a difference isn't about our own ability or strenght. It is about our complete surrender to God.

Faith Focus for January 3

January: Being a Leader

1 Timothy 4:12
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

The best way to lead people down the right path in life is to travel that way yourself.