Missions

Our Thursday night Bible study has been focusing on the book of Acts. One of thye things that stands out was the persistence of the missionaries as they spread the Gospel. Travel would have been difficult, rejection and persecution often accompanied them on their journey. Yet they persevered even rejoicing as they served the Lord. In Acts 16 after Paul and Silas were stripped and beaten, they were placed in the inner part of the prison in Philippi they weren’t bitter or discouraged but prayed and sang songs. They didn’t let opposition or difficulty stop them. I wonder if today we would be as persistent facing the same challenges.

Father’s Day

Father’s Day is a time to reflect on our earthly father and the impact they have had on our life. I did not grow up in a Christian home but was taught values that have help guide me throughout my life. Values like hard work, financial discipline, and perseverance. If you were blessed with a Christian father I hope you truly appreciate the great blessing he has been to you. Unfortunately, many do not appreciate a godly father.

Father’s Day is also a time to reflect on our Heavenly Father. He loves us, provides for us, blesses us and rejoices in His fellowship with us that is only possible through our Lord and Savior Jesus. As fathers let our desire to be like our Heavenly Father and rear our children to be Christlike. It takes work but the results in the lives of our children will be well worth the effort.

The Risen Savior

The scriptures have a lot to say concerning the resurrection of Jesus. Besides the Gospel accounts, the book of Acts contains numerous references to the resurrection. Whether it was the preaching of Peter or the sermons of Paul, each has references to the resurrected Christ. In I Corinthians a whole chapter is dedicated to the resurrection. Whereas it was Jesus’ death on the cross that atoned for our sins, it was the resurrection that gave testimony that God the Father accepted the offering of His Son for our sins. Romans 4:25 states “Who was delivered for our offences and was raised again for our justification.” The resurrection is an essential part of the Gospel message. Romans 10:9 says that “if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Someone has said that a dead savior cannot save anyone. Let us as Christians rejoice that we serve a living Savior not just on Easter Sunday, but every day.

Thanks

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. It reminds that whatever happens as a child of God I should be thankful. Thankful to God for His blessings that are renewed daily, thankful to the church for understanding the frailties of a pastor and to my family for their loyal love. In life we are often faced with ups and downs and the Scriptures remind me to gives thanks for all things, even the good and not so good. I Thessalonians 5:18 teaches us that there isn’t anything that we should not be thankful for in our lives. This verse reminds us that it is God’s will for us to be thankful. I Thessalonians 5:18 “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” What better way to show our gratitude to God than honoring Him with our life.

SUNDAY WORSHIP

Great day of worship at Old Carriage Road Baptist Church. Sunday morning service focused on the 5th chapter of II Corinthians. What a great chapter on the future resurrected body that as believers we have to look forward too. It was part of Paul’s motivation in ministry to have a heavenly view while serving God on earth. One of the things he was looking forward to was a new resurrected body that was prepared for him by God and would be suited for an eternity in heaven . It is a reminder of the temporal nature of this earthly body that is in the process of decaying and a future body without aches and pains that are a part of this earthly one.

Sunday night the message was from Psalm 100 with a focus on worshipping God with gladness and gratitude.

Thursday night in our Bible study we have been studying the Book of Ecclesiastes.

Happy Fourth of July

Hope you had a great July 4th. I was able to spend it with my family on vacation. Glad to be back at church with my church family. Great study in the book of II Corinthians. Hope you can join us on Sunday mornings or watch on Facebook.