First Baptist Church of Brownsville, Oregon

 (Isaiah 12:5)

If you’re joining us in the Bible reading plan this year, you know Isaiah 12 was one of our chapters for today.  What a great chapter (only 6 verses)!  I’d encourage all of you to take a look at that today (if you haven’t already) and use it as a prayer and expression of worship.  I have been loving my new ESV Men’s Devotional Bible this year!  It had another good one today by Dane Ortlund about Isaiah 12.  I just want to share a couple snippets with you:

“In Isaiah 12 we are given the only real refuge and the only stable comfort and peace: ‘Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid. (12:2)’ … But notice what Isaiah says:

 is his salvation.  Therefore he will trust and not be afraid… What if we took God at His Word in Isaiah 12?  ‘God is my salvation!’  We would be invincible, because we would be fearless.”  Amen!

This Sunday I’m starting a new series on the book of Titus called “God Our Savior.”  In our first message we’ll do an introduction to the book and then dive in to 1:1-4.  I’d like to ask that all of us read through Titus (only 3 chapters) before Sunday.  I just read it again today.  It’s so short we could read it everyday between now and Sunday easily.  The first message will be “A Common Faith” from those first 4 verses.  We have a common faith in our one God, through His only Son, Jesus Christ our God and our Savior!  As we focus on Him and His beautiful gospel described in Titus, may it draw us closer together as one Body.

Let me share one other thing that blessed me today.  I’ve been reading the prayers in the book “The Valley of Vision,” which is a collection of some of the prayers of the Puritans.  The one I read today is called “The Gospel Way.” —

“Blessed Lord Jesus, no human mind could conceive or invent the gospel.  Acting in eternal grace, You are both its messenger and its message, lived out on earth through infinite compassion, applying Your life to insult, injury, death, that I might be redeemed, ransomed, freed.

Blessed be You, O Father, for contriving this way, eternal thanks to You, O Lamb of God, for opening this way, praise everlasting to You, O Holy Spirit, for applying this way to my heart.

Glorious Trinity, impress the gospel on my soul, until its virtue diffuses every faculty; let it be heard, acknowledged, professed, felt.

Teach me to secure this mighty blessing; help me to give up every darling lust, to submit heart and life to its command, to have it in my will, controlling my affections, molding my understanding; to adhere strictly to the rules of true religion, not departing from them in any instance, nor for any advantage in order to escape evil, inconvenience or danger.

Take me to the cross to seek glory from its infamy; strip me of every pleasing pretense of righteousness by my own doings.

O gracious redeemer, I have neglected You too long, often crucified You, crucified You afresh by my impenitence, put You to open shame.

I thank You for the patience that has borne with me so long, and for the grace that now makes me willing to be Yours.

O unite me to Yourself with inseparable bonds, that nothing may ever draw me back from You, my Lord, my Savior.”

 (Titus 1:4)

Love From Your Pastor,

Michael

 (Genesis 39:21)

What a great chapter in the Bible!  I love the story of Joseph.  I appreciated the devotional in my Bible this morning that talked about Gen. 39, and I’d like to share some of it with you:

“Moses’ narrative voice-over at both the beginning and the end of the account states that Joseph was successful because the Lord was

with him (v. 2-3, 21-23)… And here Joseph shines because he knew that God was with him as he refused Mrs. Potiphar’s advances, declaring to her, ‘How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?’ (v. 9).  The grand deterrent to the seductive pleas was Joseph’s awareness that God is present and sees all, and that a sin no one else knows about, committed behind locked doors in a dark room, is actually committed in the presence of a holy God… How does the story of Joseph intersect with our lives today?  It does so beautifully and powerfully in the incarnation of Christ the Messiah, who is Immanuel, ‘God with us’ (Matt. 1:23).  Brothers, the key to our day-to-day success is to believe this with all our being, and conduct every moment of life in the dazzling reality of Christ’s presence.” (R. Kent Hughes, ESV Men’s Devotional Bible

, p. 45).

This Sunday we will conclude our series on Zephaniah, “Mighty to Save” with a message on chapter 3 entitled, “He Will Rejoice Over You.”  Please read this amazing chapter before Sunday and be here with us as we look together at this great text.  After words of judgment and warning, there is a powerful message of hope here, especially in verse 17.  That would be a great verse to chew on for a while if you ever wonder about God’s love for you!

Starting the following Sunday, I plan to begin a series on Paul’s letter to Titus called “God Our Savior.”  This is an amazing New Testament letter filled with great doctrine and great lessons for our living of the Christian life.  One of the reasons for wanting to go through Titus together is because it can be a great unifier for us as we encounter truth together about our common faith.  I’d like to encourage all of us to read through Titus a number of times in preparation for this series, and even while the series is going on.  What draws us together as a church family is the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and our common faith in the One true God, our Savior!

I’m looking forward to our time together this Sunday.  Don’t miss it!

Love From Your Pastor,

Michael

 (Genesis 24:26-27)

Abraham’s servant was sent on a mission to find a bride for Isaac from among Abraham’s kinsmen.  It’s a beautiful story of prayers being answered very specifically! The servant displays for us once again what a proper response to God’s graciousness looks like: he “bowed his head and worshiped.”  Humbly bowing before the Lord in praise and worship is the right thing to do in these situations!  Also, notice what the servant blesses the Lord for: He has not forsaken His steadfast love and faithfulness toward Abraham.  Friends, that is true of us as well!  Our Father has poured out upon us His steadfast love and faithfulness.  We have much to worship Him for!  We especially, and ultimately, see His steadfast love and faithfulness in the provision of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, given to us to be the necessary sacrifice for our sins on the cross.  Blessed be the Lord!

This Sunday I will be speaking on Zephaniah 2, “Seek the Lord.”  This is a fitting reminder as we are early in this new year.  There are numerous things we can be seeking.  There are all kinds of resolutions and goals to pursue.  But may we encourage one another above all else to seek the Lord this year.  Seek an intimate relationship with Him.  Seek a transformed heart that comes from trusting in Him.  Seek humility and holiness.  Seek the Lord while He may be found!

We are looking forward to hearing from Gary and Barbara Bauman, missionaries to Japan whom we support, this Sunday.  They will be sharing in the adult Sunday School, and briefly in the worship service.  I hope you get a chance to meet them if you haven’t before, and hopefully we can all be a major encouragement to them as they prepare to head back to Japan.

Baptism classes for children are starting this Sunday!  They will last for 4 Sundays.  If you haven’t signed up your child yet, but would still like to, it’s not too late.  Let me know or contact Doris Trimble or Alice Tetamore.  Adults, if you are interested in baptism, please let me know as well!

Looking forward to seeing you this Sunday as we worship the Lord together!

Love From Your Pastor,

Michael

 (Revelation 22:1-5)

I think this is a fitting passage to focus on as we wind up the year 2015. On this last day of the year, the last chapter of the Bible speaks words of hope and promise for the future.  I appreciate the note on Rev. 21:22 — 22:5 in the

:  “There is no temple in the new Jerusalem because there is no more need for a building in which humans can meet with God.  We will meet with God Himself directly in the person of the Lamb.  When Adam and Eve fell into sin, the corruption of their hearts and our world created separation from our holy God.  Throughout history, the tabernacle and then the temple provided microcosmic restorations of the fellowship enjoyed in Eden.  In the new earth, we have unhindered access to the fellowship, goodness, and glory of our God (presented here in terms of a new and improved Paradise), for all that is unclean is now outside the new Jerusalem.  All this is because of the gospel.  Jesus was the one clean person to ever walk the face of the earth, but He went to a cross.  There He became ‘unclean’ so that we unclean sinners can be fully and finally cleansed, all by grace (2 Cor. 5:21).”  Amen!

As you consider your hopes, dreams, plans, and goals for 2016, I’d like to encourage you again to join us in reading through the Bible this year.  (By the way, for those who read through with us in 2015, and made it all the way through – way to go!  For those who may have started and not finished, don’t be discouraged – try again in 2016!)  We have provided copies of a reading plan that I and a number of others plan to use this year.  They are located on one of the small tables in the foyer.  I am excited about using this new plan (which was shared with me by Randy Waldie – it’s one that he’s used for many years).  If you haven’t picked one up yet, make sure to grab one this Sunday.  Here are the first week of readings:

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 (Revelation 15:3-4)

I know that doesn’t seem like a traditional Christmas verse, but I was reminded in my Bible reading again this morning of just how important and wonderful it is to make Christmas a time of worship of our great God and our Lord Jesus Christ.  I pray that it will be that for you.  May you thoroughly enjoy whatever traditions and celebrations you have with family and friends.  And may you worship the King who came because of His great love for you and me, to save us from our sins!

Once again, brothers and sisters, my family and I are blown away by your extreme generosity.  Thank you so much for the gracious gift and all of the love, support, and appreciation you have shown.  I feel totally unworthy of God’s goodness to me.  But we receive with much gratitude your showing of love toward us.  May God bless you richly out of the abundance of His great riches in Christ Jesus.  We love you and thank God for you!

Wishing you a very Merry (and worshipful!) Christmas,

Pastor Michael, Elizabeth, Molly, Caleb, Micah, and Emily

P.S.  This Sunday you will have the great privilege of hearing from Pastor Garland Rogers as he opens the Word and speaks on the subject “In the Fullness of Time”.  Don’t miss it!

 (John 8:12)

What a blessing to be able to celebrate the greatest gift of God to the world – His Son, the Light of the world!  The above verse will be one of the key ones as we look at “The Light of Life” at our annual “Christmas by Candlelight” service this Sunday night.  This will be a blessing for the whole family, so come one, come all, at 6pm Sunday night!

Sunday morning is our children’s Christmas program, “The Night Before Christ’s-birth!”  You will certainly not want to miss this beautiful tribute to our Savior through the talents of our little ones!  Invite friends and family and join us Sunday at 10:30am!

Thank you to those who have agreed to bring cookies for Sunday morning and/or finger foods for Sunday night!  We will still need more, so if you are able to, please help out with some goodies!

Men – tomorrow is our monthly Men’s Breakfast at 7am, come enjoy a great meal and fellowship with other Christian men!

I trust you are having opportunities to reflect on God’s amazing grace through His Son Jesus Christ.  Take some time to slow down, ponder, and worship the King.  Enjoy your friends and family.  Draw near to the Lord and to one another.

Thankful for the Light of the world Who has come to shine through the darkness of our world!

Love From Your Pastor,

Michael

 (Zephaniah 2:3)

I’m intrigued by this verse for a few reasons today.  First, it was what stood out to me during my daily reading this morning.  It is a verse I am chewing on (meditating on) today.  Second, I am planning (Lord willing) to preach on the book of Zephaniah early on in 2016.  But I am also thinking on this verse in relation to Christmas.  Yes, Zephaniah can relate to Christmas!  The Incarnation of Christ – His coming to earth in the form of man, is an absolutely stunning picture of humility.  Those who seek the Lord are seeking the all-powerful sovereign God of the universe.  But they are also seeking the God who became man.  The humble servant.  The one who was placed in a manger, though He belonged in a heavenly palace.  So let us seek Him this Christmas.  Let us seek righteousness.  Let us seek humility.  Perhaps we may be hidden on the day of the anger of the LORD.  And indeed, all who trust in Christ, all who are born again to a living hope, will certainly be hidden from God’s anger – because Jesus took it upon Himself on the cross!

Dave Ezell asked me to share with you about the Central Linn High School staff appreciation project he is heading up.  It is taking place this Wednesday.  They will be providing some goodies for the staff lounge to show appreciation and bless the staff.  He’s looking for a few people willing to help him out.  If that’s you, could you please contact Dave?  Thank you!

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 (1 John 2:28)

The apostle John gives us a great reminder here, that as little children (Jesus said we must have faith like a child) the key to confident Christian living is abiding in Christ.  In his gospel account, the book of John, he emphasizes the same thing.  We are told that if we abide in Him and His Word abides in us, we will bear much fruit.  He is the vine, we are the branches.  Apart from Him we can do nothing.  John here also reminds us of Jesus’ 2nd advent (“when He appears,” and “at His coming”).  We are in a season right now in America where we are remembering His 1st coming, which is a good thing to remember.  But may we never forget what He accomplished around 33 years after His birth – His propitiating death on the cross!  His resurrection from the grave!  His ascension back to Heaven!  And may we live our lives looking forward with great anticipation that great day when He will come again!  The way to be ready for His coming is to abide in Him.  May we all do that well in the days ahead.

This Sunday I will conclude our brief series, “The Chronicles of Prayer” with a message from 2 Chronicles 6:12-42, entitled “House of Prayer”.  God’s house was intended by Him to be a house of prayer for all peoples.  Now we as His church are to be built up as His house (the people, not the building), and we too are to be a “house of prayer” for the world.  Please read 2 Chronicles 6 prior to Sunday morning and be in prayer that the Lord will teach us more about prayer and motivate us to become a true house of prayer!

As you prepare for the celebration of Christ’s first coming, we have a number of opportunities at FBC to help you enjoy a blessed Christmas season.

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And now we thank You, our God, and praise Your glorious name. (1 Chronicles 29:13)

David’s prayer is a great reminder for us as we consider all that we have to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.  I will be speaking this Sunday on 1 Chronicles 29:10-22 as we continue our short series, The Chronicles of Prayer.  I would encourage you to read all of chapter 29 before Sunday to understand the context of his prayer.  Perhaps this prayer in verses 10-22 would be a good thing to read as you gather with family and friends to give thanks tomorrow.  The prayers of the Bible reveal so much and can inform our own prayer lives.

As I contemplate what I’m thankful for this year, you are all a big part of it.  Through some highs and lows, through triumphs and challenges, we remain a tremendously blessed church family!  Let’s thank our God and praise His glorious name together!  See you Sunday!

Thanking God for you…

Love From Your Pastor,

Michael

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. (James 1:17)

Our God is such a gracious gift-giver!  How thankful I am for His provisions, for His salvation, for the abundance of His blessings that we have had poured out on us.

Speaking of gifts, THANK YOU for your giving toward our special missions offering last Sunday!  We received a total of $7,673.21, which our Global Outreach Commission has divided between the three special projects: Haiti Foundation of Hope cafeteria, Teen Challenge in Shedd, and Refugee ministries in Turkey.  The details of the disbursements of the funds will be in your bulletin this Sunday.

Also, please remember to bring in your shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child no later than this Sunday.

As we continue our short series, “The Chronicles of Prayer,” we will be looking at 1 Chronicles 17:16-27, which begins with David’s humble question, “Who am I?”  I’d encourage you to read that ahead of time and be ready for the Lord’s Word to do a work in our hearts this Sunday.

Men – this Saturday is our monthly Men’s Breakfast at 7am in the Fellowship Hall.  Bring your appetite and come ready to enjoy a time of good fellowship with one another.  If you are willing to help in the kitchen, please contact Randy Waldie (541-905-3659).

Thankful for every good and perfect gift that has come down from the Father of lights…

Love From Your Pastor,

Michael