Posted on Jan 30, 2014 in Devotions |
Hi Friends of FBC!
Then they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat. (Exodus 12:7)
The Passover event is an incredible account of God’s sovereignty, power, and grace! If you’re using the One Year Bible, we’ve been reading the last couple days about Moses’ confrontation with Pharaoh, the plagues on Egypt, and the Passover. Time and space will prevent me from going into a long explanation here, but I’d encourage you to scan over Exodus chapters 7-12, but especially chapters 11-12, which we read today. Of course the picture of the blood of the lamb spread over the homes of the Israelites points us to the perfect, without blemish, Lamb of God, who shed His blood so that we could be saved! This Sunday we will remember His death as we partake of the Lord’s Supper together. Let’s come with our hearts extremely thankful for “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
This Sunday I will also be starting a new 4 week series on the book of 2 John. The title of the series is “Truth & Love”. Not very original, I know, but it covers the essential message of John’s second letter. Please read over 2 John prayerfully this week in preparation. I trust these messages will be powerful blessings for us.
Read more…
Posted on Jan 23, 2014 in Devotions |
Hi Friends!
But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.” (Matt. 15:18-20 ESV)
Once again we were challenged in this morning’s One Year Bible reading with the words of Jesus. The Pharisees were so concerned about externals – about rule keeping, and looking righteous outwardly. Their idea of what defiled people was upside down. Jesus was masterful at setting them straight! But He’s also masterful at settingus straight. What people need… what people have always needed… is heart change! And not just a fixing of the heart, like a bypass surgery, but a total heart transplant! And Jesus Christ is the only One who can do that. He can replace our defiled hearts with pure hearts as we call upon Him in repentance and faith. So, how’s your heart today? Are you in need of a transplant?
I was so privileged this week to spend a few days at Cannon Beach at the Spurgeon Fellowship Pastors Conference. It was a blessing to go with Randy Waldie, and meet up with Tony Villanueva there, and to hear four powerful messages from Alistair Begg on the book of 2 Timothy. We also had deeply meaningful times of prayer and worship in song. It truly was a time of spiritual and physical refreshment. Thanks for those of you who were praying for that.
Posted on Jan 16, 2014 in Devotions |
Hello FBC!
Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)
Do you feel like you need rest? Not just physical rest, which is important too, but spiritual rest. “Rest for your souls” is how He puts it (11:29). Have you been trying to earn favor with God by your good works? Have you thought that somehow you can earn salvation by trying hard enough? There’s only one way to truly experience rest for your soul – come to Jesus! Allow Him to take your heavy burdens from you. By faith, enter into relationship with Him, and you will find the rest your soul longs for.
This Sunday I will preach the final message in Nahum, “The Surety of Judgment.” Please read Nahum 3 to prepare for worship. Consider well the sobering message it contains. And take comfort in the fact that the Judge of all the earth will do right!
Remeber, we have a membership class planned for Jan. 26 after the worship service. Please reply to let me know if you plan to attend!
Also, we hope to do a baptism service sometime in February. Have you publicly testified to your faith in Christ by obeying His command to be baptized? If not, why not? Let me know soon if God is calling you to do so!
How are you coming on your spiritual disciplines so far in 2014? Even if you stumble, don’t give up! Remember, we are “training ourselves for godliness,” which has value for all eternity!
Resting in Jesus today,
Love From Your Pastor,
Michael
Posted on Jan 9, 2014 in Devotions |
Hello again FBC Friends!
The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. (Psalm 9:9) The LORD being described as a stronghold for His people happens frequently in Scripture. In fact, here are some other references to it in Psalms for you to look up: Ps. 18:2; 27:1; 37:39; 94:22; 144:2. We also saw it last Sunday in Nahum 1:7 – The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. Are you experiencing “times of trouble”? Or do you know someone who is? Run to the stronghold! And tell others to go there with you.
This Sunday we will continue our series in Nahum. Please read Nahum 2 in preparation for Sunday. Consider how graphic Nineveh’s judgment is depicted. The wrath of God against His enemies is an awesome (in the truest sense of that word) thing to behold! Consider how proud & mighty the Assyrian Empire once was, as well as how wicked and cruel they were. Can you imagine God Himself saying to you, “I am against you”? How terrifying! Sadly, countless people will hear something similar on Judgment Day. But for all who turn to Christ in repentance and faith, “God is for us”! (Rom. 8:31) Hallelujah (Praise the Lord)!
Also speaking of Sunday, I’ve been asked by the leaders to encourage as many as possible to consider parking in the back, or at least a ways away from the building, on Sunday mornings. Let’s leave the closer spots for our seniors and our guests. This is another “good problem to have” – the fact that parking is becoming a premium. Also, please consider moving more toward the front of the worship center, moving toward the middle of the rows (if you’re one of the earlier arrivers), and leaving spots in the back and the aisles for those who come in a little later. Also consider trying to somewhat “squeeze together”, so we leave room for families that want to sit together. Let’s try to always be aware of the needs of other people around us, more than the needs or wishes of ourselves! Sounds kinda Christlike don’t you think?
Posted on Jan 2, 2014 in Devotions |
Happy New Year Friends!
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. (Psalm 2:11)
I hope and pray 2014 will be a tremendous year for you, and for us at FBC, as we serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling. We were reminded this morning that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge (Prov. 1:7). Let’s worship and serve Him with awe and reverence this year!
Did you set some goals for this year? Are you committed to write them down, read them often, share them with someone, and pursue the completion of them dilligently? I hope so!
If you want to be reading the same passages of Scripture each day that I’m reading, I’d encourage you to 1) pick up a One Year Bible, 2) pick up a reading list for Jan. and Feb. from the missions table in the foyer, or 3) go to
oneyearbibleonline.com and print out a list for yourself. It’s only the 2nd, so it’s not too late to start!
Posted on Dec 26, 2013 in Devotions |
Happy Boxing Day Friends! (Haven’t you always wanted to say that?) I guess in Canada Christmas is even more commercialized than it is in the U.S., since they have a whole day set aside as a holiday just for boxing up the gifts you want to return! (I may be wrong about the meaning of the holiday, but I’m not from Canada, eh?)
In our reading this morning we saw many great truths about the character of God. He is gracious and merciful (Nehemiah 9:31), righteous and kind (Ps. 145:17), and true and just (Rev. 16:7)! Plus many other things; those are just a few items from verses I wrote in my journal. I hope that you are finishing the year strongly in your Bible reading & other spiritual disciplines!
In 2014 I will be using
The One Year Bible, and would love it if as many of you as possible could join me! We have January-February readings printed out and on the missions table in the foyer. Pick one up this Sunday! You can also get the list yourself at
oneyearbibleonline.com.
This Sunday will be the concluding message of the sermon series: SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES: training for holiness. This last message will be on “Persevering” in the disciplines. It will be a fitting message not only for the end of this series, but also for the end of the year as we will be thinking about our spiritual goals for 2014! Meditate one last time (at least as far as this sermon series goes) on 1 Tim. 4:7-8, and allow your heart to be prepared for Sunday. As we wrap up this series I’d like to ask, How has this series of sermons on the spiritual disciplines impacted your life? If you have any specific things that you can share with me, I’d love to hear them!
Posted on Dec 19, 2013 in Devotions |
Hi Friends!
On the day I called, You answered me; my strength of soul You increased. (Psalm 138:3)
How is your strength of soul? That phrase really intrigued me this morning. That’s what we’ve been dealing with for the past few months in our sermon series on the Spiritual Disciplines: strengthening the soul. Have you called out to God today? Has He answered?
EXPERIENCE CHRISTMAS is tomorrow (Friday)!!! If you would like to help decorate, we will be here tomorrow at 9:00 AM. “Many hands make light work!” If you are a volunteer, we will meet for prayer at 5:00 PM tomorrow. The event is scheduled to run from 6-8 PM. We also are asking our volunteers and regular church-goers to park behind the building, or at the far south end of the parking lot, so we leave as much space as possible for our guests. Also, if you are planning to bring a pop-up canopy, if possible it would be great if you could bring it down tonight or first thing in the morning. PLEASE BE PRAYING & INVITING PEOPLE!!!
The One Year Bible – This year I will be encouraging all of us to read the Bible using the “One Year Bible” schedule. Copies of January and February readings are on the missions table in the foyer. You can print your own list at
www.oneyearbibleonline.com. I also learned of the One Year Bible Companion, that you may be interested in using as a devotional guide through the readings. You can see more about it and order it here:
Posted on Dec 12, 2013 in Devotions |
Hello my frozen friends!
The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
The above verse is one that I have loved for as long as I can remember. Our Lord is the ultimate promise keeper. He always follows through on His promises! I love that about Him! His patience is an attribute that I am extremely grateful for (and I’m sure you are too)! He does not desire anyone to perish, that is, to die in their sins. He wants all to come to repentance. Let’s pray that during this Christmas season the people in our oikos (the 8-15 people who are in our sphere of influence on a regular basis) will come to a place of repentance in their lives!
In case you didn’t get the message before, NO AWANA TONIGHT. Due to the inclement weather and possible dangerous road conditions, we will not meet tonight. We will resume next Thursday, the 19th, for the last club night of 2013!
This Sunday will be a unique experience during the message time of the worship service. You will be able to be a part of a live studio audience for the first edition of a new program: “30 MINUTES”! From what I’ve heard, the news anchor of the show will be interviewing a very special guest, who will be traveling many many miles, and many many years to join us: Mary the mother of Jesus! (The interview may or may not take 30 minutes, but it’s a catchy name anyway isn’t it?!)
Posted on Dec 6, 2013 in Devotions |
Hi Friends! Sorry this is later than usual. Hope this message finds you safe & warm!
Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (1 Tim 4:7-8 ESV)
Not only is this the theme passage for our current series on the spiritual disciplines, but it was also part of our daily reading today in the Bible reading calendar. Please continue to ponder it this weekend.
This Sunday I plan to preach the next-to-last message in this “Training for Holiness” series. The subject will be LEARNING. Now, whether you are currently in school, or have been out of school for a LONG time, don’t be afraid to be challenged to learn!
Posted on Nov 21, 2013 in Devotions |
Hi Friends!
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your Word. With my whole heart I seek You; let me not wander from Your commandments! I have stored up Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against You. (Psalm 119:9-11, ESV)
That is one of the most well-known passages in the Psalms. It is why AWANA is such a powerful tool in the discipleship of our children. It’s the reason some of the guys are working on the “Topical Memory System” from Navigators. It’s the purpose behind many different ways we have been trying to encourage Bible memory in all of our people, young and old! Are you seeking Him with your whole heart?
This Sunday’s message in the Spiritual Disciplines series will focus on “Silence & Solitude”. Shhhhhhhh. For an introvert like me, you’d think this discipline wouldn’t be too hard. And sometimes it’s not. But this week I’ve been trying to find more silence than usual in my life. One thing I’ve done differently this week is turning off the radio anytime I’ve been driving alone. That may not seem like much, but it has been amazing to me how abnormal that feels. I normally listen to music, sermons, the audio Bible, or an occassional ball game. But listening to nothing has allowed me think more. Sometimes I’ve been tempted to start preaching, but I’ve really tried to just be silent during that time. I’m not saying that I’ll never listen to the radio again, but for we who live in such a noise-saturated culture, this could be a good discipline to practice more.