Prayer

It's Monday--just a few moments past 24 hours ago we read Jesus' prayer for us...just hours before His cross met His hands, His feet and His back.  How awesome of Jesus to ask the Father, "Can John come over and spend the night...forever?" 
Jesus wants you to see His glory in heaven.  Receive His invitation today!  Turn from self and sin.  Confess Jesus as Lord.  Be baptized. 
Share this with all your lost friends today, tomorrow and especially during the next two weeks.  Bring them to Easter Services at your local church! 
He Is Worthy!!!
He is Risen!!!
He is Risen Indeed!!!
Coach/Pastor John

The Cup

     Last Saturday, our church joined other Kershaw Association churches to serve our community in helping to park those who attended THE CUP.  It was a real joy to serve alongside other believers.  I enjoyed the parking but not the lesson.  Humble pie is hard to eat.

     For years I have heard my wife correct my inquiries or requests for permission to park according to my own needs or preferences.  Like learning to tip more generously after my sons and daughter worked in a restaurant, I also learned the other side of the waving flag Saturday.  Most people were very generous in their waves, appreciation and attitude.  But as looking in the mirror, there were several who rolled down the window asking to pull into the parking lot that we had just filled.  We knew there was no more room, but there are those that want things their way.  Despite the late arrival, they still felt deserving of a closer parking spot even if it didn’t exist. Some pulled in anyway ignoring our directions otherwise.

     Paul writes in Romans 13 of authorities which exist for protection, order and safety.  A man with a flag holds a little bit of authority, regardless of who is driving the vehicle.  Paul advises us to obey these gifts to us from God.  Government, Law Enforcement and even flagmen are there for our benefit.  We need not fear them, but simply follow their directions. 

 Coach/Pastor John

“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities… for it is a minister of God to you for good” Romans 13:1, 4.

NT Chronological

We are united as a church reading together the New Testament chronologically from the One Version Bible App.  What a blessing as so many dear saints share with me their love for the stories of Jesus!
We began the Acts of the Apostles last week and are reading about the early church.  It is so encouraging to read of these believers laying aside their own selves for the sake of others.
We are currently in a WATCH AND PRAY series at First Baptist Camden on Sunday mornings focusing on prayer. As I read ACTS 9 and 10 over the weekend, it struck me how the early believers were attentive and obedient to the spoken word of God.  I long for a prayer life that allows me to hear God's voice that I may obey as the Apostles Paul and Aeneas.  Cornelius was a man seeking after God and God honored his devotion, alms and prayers.  God directed him to send for Peter--a divine appointment was made and Peter also obeyed the voice of God, so that this Gentile and his household and friends would hear the gospel and be saved.  Nothing excites me more than stories like these.  I am convinced that when God's people seek Him like these early believers did, we too will hear God speak. We will go in obedience where He sends us. We too will see those who are far from God draw near to Him, believe in Him, be baptized and will be forever changed! I anxiously await days like these that lay just before us!
Coach/Pastor John

Watch and Pray

     Have you ever been worried about something? Have you ever just had a lot on your mind and feel really stressed? I resonate with a few who shared with me this week that we tend to exert much effort to alleviate our situation before we realize that prayer is a needed first response.  I can remember walks with God when passages like Proverbs 3:5-6, Matthew 6:33-34, and Philippians 4:6-7 came to mind and by the time I had prayed, right perspective was given, clarity and insight was provided and peace of mind replaced worry. 

     You may have had this experience before too.  You lost your keys, a needed document or something important and your search has left you defeated, condemning (I’m so stupid!) and frustrated.  Then you think to pray and God answers.  Some might look at that calling it petty or insignificant, assuming that God doesn’t care about little details of our lives. Our passage today instructs us to cast all our anxieties on God because He cares for us.  God has helped me numerous times in what some may call little, but the heart of the matter is relationship.  Am I so close to God that I can ask Him to help me with the mammoth crises of life as well as the minuscule ones?

     Lastly, I think it is valuable for us to remember the prayer requests of Paul.  He usually asked for boldness and courage to proclaim the gospel and for receptive hearts.  Jesus instructed three New Testament writers to “Watch and Pray.” Each later would extend this command to all believers.  Our prayer as we gather to worship God, and His Son Jesus, is that by the power of His Holy Spirit we all might be changed.  Change our hearts O God!

Love God!  Love others!  Serve!

Pastor John

    

All Access

     “All Access” is a blessing that communicates privilege, favor recognition.  It tells us that we get in.  We need not worry about anything.  We have clearance.  Recently, someone handed me a season pass.  It meant that I could attend any game or athletic event.  It cost me nothing but gained me much.  I once received a key from a friend.  “This key is to every gate.”  It gave me access to enjoy certain privileges that were unavailable to me before.  When I was in high school a friend gave our family back stage passes to the Grand Ole Opry.  We walked back there where only a few could go and rub shoulders with the stars.  Whispering Bill Anderson walked up to me and Paul and said, “Here, do you want to take a picture with me?”

    

     Do you realize what Jesus did for you and me?  He gave us an ALL ACCESS pass.  Because of Jesus’ death on the cross Jesus guaranteed certain promises.  He secured the forgiveness of sins.  He removed the separation from God we experience because of our sin. He removed the sting of death and guaranteed eternal life in heaven for those who repent of sin and trust in Him for salvation. He promised abundant life here on the earth.  In spite of loss, hardship and death, Jesus has said to us that our ALL ACCESS pass lets us find joy in all of life because of a wonderful hope…this is not our final destination.  His resurrection gives us a certain hope that we are known by the Father.  We have so many blessings to enjoy!  This ALL ACCESS pass gives us the assurance of entrance.  We can enter into God’s presence in prayer.  We can seek Him and know Him.  We can commune with God in conversation.  We can hear from God in His Word and through His Spirit. What promises!

Love God!  Love others!  Serve!

Coach/Pastor John

    

Annie Armstrong Day 8

Pray for Kevin Ezell, North American Mission Board (NAMB) President

Annie Armstrong Day 7

Pray for Luis and Beatriz Soto in West Valley, Utah