Archive for February, 2009
February 28, 2009 at 7:08 am · Filed under FCA
Take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Ephesians 6:17
In the time of Paul’s journeys to plant new churches and his writings to encourage the new churches, the weapon of war was the sword. Yet, Paul stated in his metaphor in our battle as a Christian soldier, our weapon is not made of iron finely honed to rip flesh and bone, but of the Spirit of God, which is His message of salvation and truth. Yet, in another verse the metaphor says the Word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword and can cut deeper. Why is this? Well, the Word of God reveals the truth about us and our nature. God ought to know us pretty good so His Word or His Message can cut deep into our inner being to inflict change that sometimes hurts. It hurts to realize we have sinned against God by our words and deeds, yet God still loves us and desires for us to walk away from that life of sin and selfishness. God has given us in His Word a Savior and a Lord wrapped up in one person, His Son, Jesus the Christ. In God’s Word, His message of Hope and Love is found in the life of Christ, therefore He is referred to as The Word by the Apostle John. When we carry the Word of God into the battlefield in which we war against this world, knowing our weapons are more powerful than theirs is a real confidence builder. How have you invested in God’s Word today?
Coach
February 27, 2009 at 6:09 am · Filed under FCA
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15
IF your heart has been consecrated to God and His Son, Christ resides in you, then you have a special hope that resides also in you. That hope is of salvation and eternal life with God, and in the present world the reality of the hope that He is with you everyday encouraging, empowering and equipping you for the challenges you face daily. This hope is also something that God wants you to share with all that ask. So the questions remains, are you prepared each day to give the reason for the hope that resides withing you? Do you have the words to share that will personally witness to Christ’s influence on your life? This is not quoting scriptures but speaking plainly in your own words what it means to have Christ residing in your heart daily! Being prepared is not a motto, but a new way of life for every born-again Christian.
Coach
February 26, 2009 at 6:15 am · Filed under FCA
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than receive.” Acts 20:35
To help the weak we need to become weak ourselves. To feed the hungry we need to experience hunger. Fasting has a personal purpose that draws us closer in our relationship with God, but it also helps us to recognize what it means to do without and to become genuinely hungry. I challenge you to fast and really learn what it means to rely on God’s provisions and feel the hunger pangs of physical hunger. You will find yourself closer to God through the experience, but also you will be closer in sympathizing with others who have real hunger needs. God can use your fasting experience to use you more effectively in reaching and out and relating to someone who has a need.
Take the challenge and see how you may receive a blessing through the experience.
Coach
February 25, 2009 at 5:58 am · Filed under FCA
…the kindness of God leads you to repentance… Romans 2:4b
It is funny, once a child of God experiences the personal joy of God’s kindness in his or her life, that joy is shared with someone else by acts of kindness in return. In sharing the joy of God by acts of kindness, God’s purpose is realized. Only His children can revceive His joy, and only His children can share His joy with others through sincere acts of kindness…that is how God works through us to reach those in the greatest need of receiving His joy. Once those in need of God’s joy in their life receive joy from one of God’s children through some act of kindness and they recognize the source of that joy there can be but one response: repentance, or turning from a life of sorrow and strife towards a life of hope, optimism and peace only found through receiving God’s joy in their life.
Right now in our community there is a lot of bad news touching lives, and families are struggling as parents are at risk of losing jobs and homes. Our community needs to sense of joy through many acts of kindness that leads them to have a real sense of hope, optimism and peace. The only stimulus plan that will last is the plan God has for us not what man can deliver. God’s resources are unlimited and man’s is certainly limited and cannot last. Share with someone today the hope of God through an act of kindness and see how it can stimulate joy in others.
Coach
February 24, 2009 at 6:22 am · Filed under FCA
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace. Acts 20:24
In many long distance races there is the “wall” that the runner faces which will determine if he or she can finish the race successfully. At the “wall” your mind is telling your body it cannot continue, but if you can discipline your mind to ignore the thoughts your body can burst through the wall and you continue the race as strong as ever. This is true in nay endurance event. Mental discipline requires that you train your mind to go beyond what you think you can endure and then you discover the joy of accomplishing things you never dreamt possible. Your Lord knows what you can handle because He created you. Stay true to the task that lies before you and allow your Lord to deliver you into the joys of accomplishing wonderful things in your life that will inspire you to greater possibilities and inspire others to attempt greater things as well.
Coach
February 23, 2009 at 6:15 am · Filed under FCA
And let us…spur one another on to love and good deeds, and let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another… Hebrew 10:24-25
Quite often there are people that are in your circle of friends that are looking to be asked to join you because they do not know what to do or how to go about being a part of your fellowship of believers. Call it pride or fear or ignorance but it matters not, the fact is they need to be spurred on and aided in their walk to find God’s calling upon them. Are you inviting others to join you at church activities and to our meetings in school? Many actually do not know what we do or why we meet each week… what of you went out of your way to invite them and they became encouraged to follow you to church on Sunday? Consider the calling God has placed upon you to go and tell the “good news”. Have you been obedient?
Coach
February 21, 2009 at 12:01 pm · Filed under First Baptist Ocala
Week of February 8: What Three Assurances Does Paul Offer to the Church
1. You Can Feel Safe (2 Thess. 1:1-12)
2. You Can Stay Calm (2 Thess. 2:1-17)
3. You Can Keep at It (2 Thess. 3:1-18)
1. You Can Feel Safe (2 Thess. 1:1-12): Why? In all things can do you trust God to be more than fair with you…
What Is God Doing in, with and through Me?
What crisis experiences are we all facing right now? How do we respond when someone says we should praise God for such experiences?
In spite of what is going on, are we really grateful for the good things God has given us? How often do we demonstrate that gratitude? Or is our focus only on the bad things happening?
What is Paul’s motivation for thanking God, when hw wrote that “We must always thank God” in verse 3…
1. _________________ is flourishing
2. _________________ is increasing
Truth: When we realize what God is already doing in our lives, we also realize we can trust Him in every situation because He already has been more than fair to us: even when we seem focused on the bad things, He is being more than fair with us and has a purpose even through those difficult times.
What are Paul’s reasons for boasting on the church among the other churches: ref. verse 4…
1. ____________ and 2. _____________ in the face of hard and trying times…
Why is this important? Ref. verse 5… It is clear evidence of those who will be counted _______________ of God’s kingdom…which is evidence also of God’s righteous ____________________.
Truth: God’s justice in judgment reminds us we can trust Him to be more than fair to us as believers.
Which statement in verses 5-10 gives you the most comfort concerning God’s fairness? Why? Consider the two possible outcomes when the Lord comes:
1. ________________ for those who afflict us;
2. ________________ for those who are afflicted for His sake.
Read 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12. What does God want us to do with our skills, talents, gifts, and qualities? Whether in good times or difficult times? _________________________________________________.
2. You Can Stay Calm (2 Thess. 2:1-17) Knowing the basic biblical truths about Jesus’ return can help us all remain calm in tough times.
Reject false interpretations; Remember the truth you received; Stand Firm, anchored by the truth
Thinking back to Y2K, do you know people who thought the new millennium might bring Jesus’ return? How do you think they felt on December 31 versus January 2?
Why do you think Paul’s readers were “troubled?” What falsehoods may have bothered the believers in the church of Thessalonica, and what were the four evil characteristics of “the man of lawlessness.”
1. His __________________ will be revealed.
2. He _________________ and ______________ himself above all gods.
3. He _________________ that he himself is God, or a god.
Why are many Christians today confused about Christ’s return? What ideas confuse us most about Christ’s return? Why? How can we help such Christians?
Regarding thoughts about the “Mystery of Lawlessness,” we must be careful to acknowledge the ideas about what might be restraining the “man of lawlessness” are only suggestions.
Provide a copy of What Do You Know? It contains key truths found in the The Baptist Faith and Message to show what we believe about Christ’s return. How can remembering these truths help us today?
What would you say are the most important truths about Christ’s return? Why?
Why do most people respond more readily to warnings than to promises? Why?
In verses:11-17 are both warnings and promises urging Christians to stand firm on basic biblical teachings about Jesus’ return.
Do Paul’s statements about the condemnation of the wicked or his statements about a Christian’s future provide you more motivation to “stand firm”? Why? Which verse is more encouraging to you? Why?
What’s the difference between remaining calm and having all your questions answered about the second coming? Which of these truths helps you help remain calm in the face of false or diverse teachings about this topic? Why?
3. You Can Keep at “It” (2 Thess. 3:1-18) Giving up is easy. The hard part is staying focused and persevering.
What is “it”:
1. Pray for Church Leaders;
2. Persist in Faithfulness;
3. Pursue Responsible Behavior;
4. Persevere in Doing Good
Why do you think this prayer request had an urgency about it?
1. Why did Paul ask the Thessalonian Christians to pray for him? Why should we pray for our church leaders, teachers and missionaries?
2. How does God’s faithfulness help us persist in faithfulness? What should having God’s strength and protection mean to believers? What part do biblical commands play in most Christians’ faithfulness?
3. Who has provided an example of responsible behavior for you? How did you choose a role model? How can we help Christians who behave irresponsibly?
4. How can we persevere in going good? What associations should we seek to help us be encouraged to persevere in difficult times?
Have the lessons from the Church in Thessalonica hit home? Meeting Divine Expectations is title of our next study beginning next week. (Covers Isaiah and Micah)
Close with prayer.
February 21, 2009 at 11:59 am · Filed under FCA
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost. Luke 19:10
Is your focus in alignment with the Lord’s focus? Are we focusing upon impacting others with the “good news” of Christ so that He may accomplish His goal of seeking and saving the lost. We are his feet, his hands and his mouth. Are you taking the time to remember the Lord did not save us just to know Him better and to cling close to Him only. We are to be doing those things, but also obeying Him means going for Him and doing the work of “making more disciples” and sharing the “good news.” How are you doing in this mission that He has empowered and gifted you to do?
Pray today the Lord reveals new opportunities and doors be revealed for His greater Kingdom purposes in your life.
Coach
February 20, 2009 at 6:27 am · Filed under FCA
I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do this for the sake of the gospel that I may share in its blessings. 1 Corinthians 9:22-23
To what extent do you reach out to touch someone? Too many well meaning Christians stand on their safe front porches and shout the good news in hopes that someone might hear. Then there are those who go out and leave the safety of their surroundings to venture onto the grounds where those in greatest need reside daily, and then they touch the lives of those there and make friendships so that the message of Christ can be seen and heard in normal conversation. We must be like Paul and be willing to leave our comfort zone to reach those in need. We must be willing to get to know the people and they must get to know you before they get to trust in you and the message you have to share. The act of caring and sharing cannot be done from a distance, it must be accomplished at arms reach! Are you trying to be all things to all people to make a difference in some who will seek to listen?
Coach
February 19, 2009 at 5:58 am · Filed under FCA
I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Philemon 1:6
If we are who we claim to be we must be active sharing who we are… Christ is our example and Lord, and He says we are to be engaged in our society sharing the “good news” of God’s plan for man. However, we too often are too self-engaged to think about sharing what we are trying to get a handle ourselves. But, we will never get our arms all the way around the Christian life on this side of heaven, and besides Christ knew we would all be at different stages of ourwalk when he told us to go and tell. We are to be always ready to share what we know to those who need to know, and then trust Christ will do the rest in that persons life. The good news for us is that as we trust and obey by sharing with others we see first hand the transformation in others that has happened to us, and it helps us explain our own struggles in our Christian walk, but it alos inspires us in that walk as well.
Keep walking the faith and talking the faith…
Coach
Next entries »
2010. Powered by