First Baptist Church of Brownsville, Oregon

Dear Friends,

 

Remember to keep praying for the Beaches and a time of refreshment for them and quality family time. 

 

In 2 Kings we see a remarkable story.  In chapter 22 Josiah comes into power and reigns in Jerusalem for 31 years.  “And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in all the way of David his father.” (vs. 2)  This is especially unique

because

his father, Amon, did evil for the two years he reigned, and his grandfather, Manasseh, who reigned for 55 years was worse.  Not much of a legacy.  I wonder what caused Josiah to be a man that did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.  If you continue to read chapter 22 you’ll read about the discovery of the Book of the Law (the Torah, Genesis-Deuteronomy) in the house of the Lord.   Any copies that weren’t hidden had been destroyed by the previous kings. So not only did Josiah follow the Lord, but he did it before he had the little bit of God’s Word that had been written. 2 Chronicles 34:3 gives us a bit of insight, “For in the eighth year of his reign (16 years old), while he was yet a boy, he began to seek the God of David his father…”

 

But I wanted to focus on verse 7 back in 2 Kings 22.  This verse comes about when Josiah decides to repair the temple.  His father and grandfather had destroyed it as they chased after false gods.  He gathers money and sends it to the “workmen who have oversight of the house of the Lord (vs. 5).”  Then verse 7 says “But no accounting shall be asked from them for the money that is delivered into their hand, for they deal honestly.”  Same story in 2 Chronicles 34:12a “And the men did the work faithfully.” 

 

I know if I was King Josiah I would be keeping close tabs on that money.  Our culture has taught us to trust no one.  Yet, King Josiah says don’t worry about it, they are honest men.  I wonder if we have built that kind of reputation for ourselves.  Are we people who deal honestly, are we people who are trustworthy, are we people who reflect Jesus in a broken world?  Not only that, but they were faithful to the work they had been called to.  I bet they had hard days, things went wrong, but they were faithful.  Are you faithful in the job God has called you to; whether in a

workplace, or at home with your children.

  If your boss (like King Josiah) were to give a review of you would they say you are honest and work faithfully?  I pray that those we work with would recognize consistency in our lives because we work “for the Lord and not for man.” (Colossians 3:23)

 

Read more…

Dear friends!

 

I hope you are growing in the Lord this week.  I am filling in for Pastor Michael while he takes much-needed vacation time to spend with his family.  I am thankful to be a part of your church family and to be able to support him in this way.  As he is away please pray for refreshment for the family and quality time together.  Pray for continued unity among our church family as well.

 

I have recently been reading in James.  This morning James 4:5 really hit me.  “Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, ‘He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us?'”  First off, what a blessing!  God gave us the Holy Spirit to dwell in us.  We have much to be thankful for, knowing that we were given a helper as we navigate life. 

 

What struck me though, was that God yearns over our spirit.  If we look back at the context we recognize that “friendship with the world is enmity with God.” (vs. 4)  And as James mentions earlier in his book “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire,” (1:14) we give in to sin by our own desires.  Our passion for Him brings our focus to Him instead of things that could cause us to sin. It’s also easy to fill our days with what the world tells us is good (and are good); family, friends, technology, job, etc.  There is nothing wrong with those things, but if they are what drives us and consumes our spirit, we are driven by the wrong things.  God yearns for your spirit to be passionate for Him and out of that He will bring joy to those other areas of our lives. 

 

What, or better yet WHO, does your spirit yearn for?

 

A couple of prayer request reminders.  Please continue to pray for Don Marsh who is in the hospital again.  Also, pray for George Van Leeuwen who is in a nursing home.

 

This Sunday I will be starting a mini series on parenting.  I hope you will all plan to attend even if you don’t have children living in your home.  There is much that applies to all of us.  I have been reading many books and thinking about this for awhile and am excited to share with you what Scripture teaches.  Parenting isn’t easy, and we make mistakes and learn as we go, I hope you will find challenge and encouragement from the next few weeks.  Please read Deuteronomy 6 in preparation for Sunday.  We will jump around all three weeks, but Deuteronomy 6 is the basis for the whole series. 

 

A reminder the men’s breakfast is this Saturday at 7:00 am.  Please plan to join for good food, fellowship, and time together in God’s Word.

 

Men’s Roundup is almost upon us.  If you have yet to register please do so!  There is also a sign up in the foyer to let us know if you plan to attend so we can all camp together.  Hope you can join us.

 

Have a blessed rest of the week.  See you Sunday!  With Love, -Pastor Justin

 

 (Judges 8:23)

 

Gideon is an interesting character in Scripture.  In him, we see some great examples of faith, as well as some serious stumbles.  Hmmm, sounds a lot like us, doesn’t it?  But as I was reading Judges this morning this was the verse that stood out to me.  I love Gideon’s statement.  Israel constantly forgot that the LORD was to be their true King.  The same is often true of us today.  Let’s always remember who the true and rightful Ruler is.  He is Lord and Ruler and of our lives, and He is Lord and Ruler of our church.  Is Jesus Christ your Lord?  Is He ruling over your life?  I hope so!

 

This Sunday I will be speaking on Psalm 119:33-40.  This is just a small portion of what is the longest chapter in the Bible.  It’s a fascinating part of this wonderful psalm that gives praise to God for His awesome Word.  Please chew on these 8 verses in preparation for Sunday.  In fact, this stanza would be a great guide for our prayer lives in the days ahead.  Try it!

 

Remember that Jeff and Laura Stoneberg are starting a new Sunday School class this week, called Digging Deeper!  They will be facilitating a discussion based on the previous Sunday’s sermon.  I’m excited for this!  I hope it will help the truths from my messages to sink in deeper.  Sunday School begins at 9am.  I believe the Digging Deeper class is going to meet in the Fellowship Hall.

 

Men, please remember it’s time to get registered for Men’s Roundup at Camp Tadmor (Sept. 9-11).  I’d love to know if you are thinking of going so we can plan on camping together!

 

Looking forward to seeing you Sunday!

 

Grace and Peace to you from Jesus Christ…

 

Love From Your Pastor,

Michael

 

 (Romans 8:10-11)

 

What an absolutely amazing truth!  Is Christ in you?  If so, this promise is true of

!  We have the incredible resurrection power of Almighty God available to us, to dwell in us by His Spirit.  Are you living the resurrection power kind of life today?  For more on walking in the Spirit, and on God’s unshakeable love for us, read Romans 8 today!

 

don’t forget that tonight at 7pm is the baby shower for Lynsey (and Lincoln!) Hostetter here at the church.  Thank you for being a blessing to their family so much already.

 

 – everyone is invited to our annual picnic following this Sunday’s worship service!  This year it will be at Pioneer Park.  We have the Pavilion (covered area) reserved for our meal time.  Please bring potluck food to share – main dishes, sides, salads, desserts, etc.  We suggest you bring your own drinks and plates, forks, etc.  (We’ll hopefully have some extra there on hand for those who may need it.)  Also, please bring horseshoes, lawn games, frisbees, footballs, or whatever other games you might like to play.  There is a playground available for the little ones.  This will be a relaxing and fun time to just be together as a church family in the park – please join us!

 

 – This is the last Sunday scheduled for the directory photo updates – so if you haven’t had your picture taken yet, be ready this Sunday!

 

Sunday morning I will be preaching on

, “Precious in His Sight”.  This is the second of three messages from me in the Psalms this summer (Pastor Justin may also be preaching on one of the Psalms in a few weeks.)  Please read over this incredible Psalm, maybe more than once, as part of your prepartion to worship our great Lord.  Notice especially the first 4 words!  (That’s ok, look at it now, since I know you’re curious…)

 

Thankful for Christ in me (and you), the hope of glory…

 

Love From Your Pastor,

Michael

 

 (Joshua 24:15)

 

A tremendous reminder from Joshua today to make the conscious choice to serve the Lord!  And not only on an individual level, but to include the whole family.  I hope and pray this will be the heart of all of us – that no matter what others around us choose to do, we will choose to serve the Lord, the One who came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many!

 

This Sunday we will have an “installation service” for Pastor Justin Hostetter during our 10:30am time of worship!  Justin’s friend and mentor Joel Ruisch has come all the way from Iowa, and he will preach Sunday on Matthew 20:20-28.  Just as you would when I’m preaching, please read ahead and come prepared Sunday to hear an important message from the Lord.

 

Chris & Kai, will also be here Sunday!  They will speak during the adult Sunday School class at 9am, and share an update for us during the worship service as well.  You will definitely want to hear from this dynamic, faithful couple!

 

Ladies don’t forget the baby shower for Laura Stoneberg at 6:30pm tonight!  And then next Thursday at 7pm a shower for Lynsey Hostetter and baby!

 

Also remember there are 2 more Sundays of church directory photo updates, so please make sure your family photo is taken either this Sunday or next!

 

August 7 we will have anothe visiting missionary, Lindsey, with New Tribes Missions.  

Also Aug. 7 is our annual church family picnic, at a new location this year: Pioneer Park in Brownsville!  We will enjoy this time together at the park after the worship service that Sunday.  Bring a favorite food to share, and your drinks, utensils, chairs, games, etc.!

 

Stay cool!  Drink lots of water.  Especially drink of the Living Water!  Serve the Lord!

 

Love From Your Pastor,

Michael

 (Acts 20:35)

 

Acts 20:33-35 “contain at least three important lessons about money and work.  First, Paul declares,

I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel... The opposite of idolatrous covetousness is faith-filled contentment in God’s provision for our needs… Second, Paul works, so that he and his companions can live: You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me… Third, Paul works so that he can give to others… Christians must come to the aid of those in need, including the poor, widows, and prisoners.  Generosity toward others is a reflex of grace, a response to the matchless generosity of God who gave His own Son for us.  We should work to live, work to give, and be content with what God has given us.” (Brian Tabb, ESV Men’s Devotional Bible

)

 

On Sunday I will be speaking on “Generous Giving” from 1 Chronicles 29, as we conclude our 12-part series on DAVID:

  I’d encourage you to read the whole chapter in preparation for the message Sunday, but especially zero in on David’s prayer in verses 10-22.  As I’ve mentioned before, one of the best ways to learn to pray is to read the prayers of the

Bible, and let them become the prayers

of our own hearts.  This prayer by David is a great one for that!

 

A few other things to pray about:

Read more…

 

Our fathers in turn brought it (the tabernacle) in with Joshua when they dispossed the nations that God drove out before our fathers.  So it was until the days of David, who found favor in the sight of God and asked to find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob.  But it was Solomon who built a house for Him.  Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says, ‘Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool.  What kind of house will you build for Me, says the Lord, or what is the place of My rest?  Did not My hand make all these things?’

 (Acts 7:45-50)

 

In Stephen’s sermon on the history of Israel, and how it all pointed to Jesus Christ, he reminds the Jews of King David and his son Solomon.  He shows how they have mistakenly associated God’s presence only with the temple.  But even in the Old Testament, God was not limited by a structure made with human hands.  God is near to all who call on Him (Psalm 145:18), and He has drawn near to us most fully in Jesus. (adapted from the Gospel Transformation Bible)

 

This Sunday we come to the point in David’s story where he purchases the plot of land in Jerusalem where the temple would be built.  But leading up to that is David’s sinful action of taking a census.  There is a lot to teach us in this event about man’s pride, God’s mercy, and His plan for offering redemption.  Join us this Sunday as we examine 1 Chronicles 21:1 — 22:1.  Please read ahead so you are familiar with the passage when you come Sunday!  Ask the Lord to teach us and change us.

 

Also this Sunday, Randy Waldie will begin teaching a Sunday School class on the Gospel of John for adults, located in the worship center.  Gwen Landon continues her study in the book of Genesis for the ladies in classroom 3.

 

There are a lot of events happening here at FBC in July & August, so make sure to get a bulletin Sunday and get things on your calendar!

 

Please keep Lynsey Hostetter in prayer, as she is now a couple days past their baby’s due date (which does not surprise Justin)!  They have family in town to help, and now they just need ‘baby peanut’ to decide it’s time to join us in the outside world!  (Of course, I know it’s the Lord who will decide the perfect time!)

 

Happy Harvest Time, enjoy these summer days, as they go by quickly!

 

Love From Your Pastor,

Michael

 

 (Daniel 9:7, see the whole prayer – Daniel 9:3-19)

 

“Daniel learns by reading Jeremiah that the 70 years of captivity will soon end.  He begins to pray in preparation, confessing his own sin and the sin of his people.  Daniel includes himself as a sinner needing the grace of God because he knows how righteous and holy God is.  Daniel’s words remind us that, in light of God’s holiness,

all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23).” (The Gospel Transformation Bible

)

 

This past Tuesday Justin and I attended Franklin Graham’s Decision America Tour at the Oregon State Capitol building in Salem.  It was a great reminder of our desperate need for God’s mercy in America, and that we need to be praying and confessing our sins and repenting and turning to Christ.  He reminded us to confess our personal sins, our family sins, and our nation’s sins.  This is a critical moment in America’s history – as we approach Independence Day let’s keep praying and seeking God’s face and ask Him to help us as Christians and as a nation to turn from our wicked ways!

 

Sunday I will be preaching on 2 Samuel 12:1-25, a message titled, “Conviction & Confession”.  Following David’s sinful episode with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah, he finds himself confronted by the prophet Nathan.  It’s quite a powerful story with lessons for all of us.  David’s prayer/song of repentance is also powerful.  I’d encourage you to read it in Psalm 51.  I’m working on memorizing that psalm, but I can’t guarantee I’ll have it by Sunday.  What is it that you need to deal with the Lord about?  You may not have committed adultery and murder, but remember, “all have sinned…”.  Better to spend some time in confession and repentance, and get right in your relationship with the Lord, than to have to get caught “red handed”!  Please read 2 Sam. 12 and Ps. 51 before Sunday and come with a tender heart to hear from God’s word.  We will also be joining in the remembrance of the Lord’s Table together, which is a fitting conclusion to a message on repentance!

 

Men: Don’t forget to get registered for Men’s Roundup (Sept. 9-11)!  The cabins are all taken, so we will be camping again this year.  This is always a great weekend of teaching, worship, and fellowship with other men.  Oh, and lots of good food too!  Sign up here: 

 

Looking forward to seeing you Sunday!

 

Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ…

 

Love From Your Pastor,

Michael

 

 (Deuteronomy 28:13-14)

 

There is much in Deuteronomy to both inspire us and challenge us.  I loved what I read in the

 regarding Deut. 28 today:  “Perhaps no other text in the Old Testament articulates so clearly the blessings of the covenant held out to God’s people upon their obedience.  (In these 14 verses, the verb ‘bless(ed)’ occurs 8x and the noun ‘blessing’ occurs 2x.)  Verse 2 promises ‘all these blessings,’ then we read in vs. 3-6 ‘Blessed,’ ‘Blessed,’ ‘Blessed,’ ‘Blessed.’  Finally, vs. 11 says, ‘the LORD will make you abound in prosperity.’  And perhaps no other text in the Old Testament articulates so clearly obedience as the condition for these blessings.  The stress on obedience is found in the beginning (v. 1-2), the middle (v. 9), and the end (v. 13-14).

     The problem is that we do not abide by all the things written in God’s law.  Left to ourselves, the result can only be

curse rather than blessing (Gal. 3:10).  But Christ obeyed for us (Rom. 5:19) and bore the curse for us (Gal. 3:13),

so that we might receive these blessings through our faith and not by our obedience (Gal. 3:14).  Those who are free from the obligation to keep the law in order to merit the promised blessings (Gal. 5:1) do not use that freedom to sin (Gal. 5:13) but rather to serve in love (Gal. 5:14).  As we do, we can expect to receive more of the covenant blessings in this life even as we anticipate experiencing the fullness of those blessings in the life to come.

     Blessing, true blessing, real

, is ours for the asking — as long as we resist the urge to try to help pay for it.”

Read more…

 

 (Deuteronomy 10:15)

 

Those of us following the same Bible reading schedule this year read Deuteronomy 8-10 today.  There were many things that caught my attention, and that I underlined.  But I focused in on 10:12-22, a beautiful statement from Moses exhorting the people of Israel to love, serve, and obey the Lord.  I’d encourage you to read that right now (or as soon as you get the chance).

 

“‘And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you’ (v. 12)?  Or, how should we respond to God’s gracious salvation?  By loving God (v. 12) and by loving the sojourner/those in need/neighbor (v. 19).  If we truly love God, then we will love what and whom He loves.  Our response to God’s gracious salvation is in keeping with who God is, for He loves those in need (v. 18); and this is in keeping with an understanding of who

we used to be, for we used to be those in need (v. 19) before God saved us by His grace.” (Gospel Transformation Bible

)

 

This Sunday is Father’s Day!  Make sure and honor your fathers and bless them men in your life who have had

godly

influence on you.  This would also be a good time to pay extra attention to the fatherless, those who may be in need of a godly man to take an interest in them.  There are many in our community, and some in our own church.  Ask the Lord to use you to bless a fatherless child this week.

 

Pastor Justin will be preaching “A Father’s Legacy” from 1 Samuel 2:12-36.  I’d encourage all of us to read that passage and consider what the Lord wants to teach us, specifically about fathers and sons.

 

This Sunday is also Pioneer Picnic in Brownsville.  As I’ve mentioned before, Sharon McCoy is heading up the pancake breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday.  If you’d like to help out, please contact her (or let me know and I can get you in touch with her).  I also mentioned last week that

Lovica

Johnson is heading up the BBQ at the Picnic.  They are needing volunteers to help with that.  She mentioned that she would especially be grateful for help cleaning up after it is all over (between 2-4 pm or so I think).  

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