Hi Friends of FBC!
I had the privilege of attending the Awana Conference in Springfield this week, along with a number of our faithful Awana leaders and helpers. It was a great time of instruction and motivation. I was especially impressed with a message we watched on video from Rob Reinow of Visionary Family Ministries. I won’t have the room here to recap everything he said that challenged me, but I just wanted to share his main points:
1. God created families to be discipleship centers.
2. The biblical purpose of parenting and grandparenting is to impress the hearts of children with a love for God.
3. God has designed the family as an essential engine of world evangelization through the power of multi-generational faithfulness.
Reinow did a great job explaining Deuteronomy 6:5-7. (We will hopefully have a copy of this video available if you’d like to watch & listen for yourself.) He finished his message by saying, “Imagine a church filled with families that are discipleship centers… and evangelism centers!” That is exactly what I imagine happening through our ministry at FBC! I hope and pray that we will be used by God to reach and train many families with the gospel.
Today in our daily Bible reading, I was impressed (again) with the challenge from Paul to the Corinthian church: Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love (1 Cor. 16:13-14). I see this especially addressed to men, for obvious reasons. It’s time for fathers and grandfathers to stand up and be the godly leaders of their families! Will you be one of them?
A reminder of a couple important events:
Saturday, October 27, 10am — 12:30pm – Race Car Work Day at the church for the Awana Grand Prix (Nov. 10) cars. We will have tools, sand paper, and paint available (and rumor has it there will be pizza too)! A great opportunity for men to help the kids with their cars!
Wednesday, October 31, 6 — 7:30pm – TRUNK-OR-TREAT! We are now just 6 days away! Much thanks for all of the help with candy, food, and drink donations. This Sunday is the last Sunday to bring in your bags of candy – I think the men & women are in a dead heat! Elizabeth is thrilled to have around 30 vehicles signed up! We are looking forward to a fun and fruitful outreach for our community. Please PRAY for this event and for everyone involved!!! If you have any last-minute questions, Elizabeth will be available Sunday. You can also reply to this message and we’ll try to get back to you as soon as we can. Or call us!
This Sunday I will be speaking on Hosea 8:1 — 9:9, a message entitled, “Substitute Gods.” We will see how Israel’s choice to follow idols affected them, and contrast that with true worship of the One true and living God. Again, please read ahead and pray for God’s Spirit to instruct us on Sunday.
Another great passage from today’s reading, especially for men (sorry ladies, but I’m on a theme here) — Guys, please spend some time meditating on Psalm 101:2-4.
Love From Your Pastor,
Michael